A Reaction Paper on the Death Threats of the Clergy

It all began when the Duterte administration launched a massive campaign against illegal
drugs in the entire nation. From then on, the Church has been its persistent critic on government’s
war on drugs which took away the lives of thousands poor Filipinos, leaving their families alone
and lonely. With that, some concern people have warned the church about being critical of the
government’s fight against drugs. The president is so indignant with the church too much meddling
in the affairs of the state up to the point of branding her as “the most hypocritical institution.”

The church made herself clear about the issue. She is not against the government’s noble
efforts to eradicate illegal drugs in our country. In fact, she recognizes the government’s duty to
maintain peace and order and protect the country from this terrible menace of the society.
However, upon hearing that mostly poor people were being brutally killed on mere suspicion
without due process, there the church started to combat the direction of this war on drugs was
taking. Bishops and priests cannot be silenced nor can they abdicate their solemn duty to defend
the dignity and lives the sheep whenever the sheep are attacked by the wolves.

Sad to say, just recently two bishops (Ambo and Villegas) as well as the three priests
(Alejo, Reyes, Villanueva) received death threats from anonymous party. These church leaders are
very vocal against war on drugs and they try to promote programs just to save the lives of the poor
drug victims. Their lives is at risk. But in spite of the death threats, these servants of the Lord
remain humble and steadfast for they did understand what it means to be the “shepherd of the flock
and disciple of Christ.” It means they have to tell the truth, bear witness to the truth and fight for
the truth. However, in doing so, the world will truly hates them. Yet Jesus reminds them, “If the
world hates you, be aware that it hated me before it hated you.” (Jn. 15:18) “Servants are not
greater than their master. If they persecuted me, they will persecute you.” (Jn. 15:20)

As Thomas Kempis would say, “To suffer therefore is what awaits you, if you wish to love
and serve Christ always.” Christ did not promise a comfortable life to his followers, but a life of
trials and sacrifices instead. “My child, when you come to serve the Lord, prepare yourself for
testing. Set your heart right and be steadfast and do not be impetuous in time of calamity. Accept
whatever befalls you and in times of humiliation be patient.” (Sir. 2:1-2, 4) This is the kind of life
they embraced when they received the gift of ordination. This is the priestly ministry of which
these fearless clergy embraced wholeheartedly.

I truly admire the boldness and commitment of these pastors who fear no one except the
Lord. Despite the death threats and warnings, they never cease to protect the dignity of human
person and continue to fight for the inviolability of human life knowing that this may even
endanger their own life. Life is indeed in vain, if it is live in accordance with God’s will. “Vanity
of vanities, says the Teacher, vanity of vanities! All is vanity.” (Ecc. 1:2) All is in vain except
loving God and serving Him alone. “For what will it profit them to gain the whole world and forfeit
their life? (Mk. 8:36) It is vanity to wish for a long life and to take little care of leading a good and
holy life. It is vanity to preserve once life while destroying another’s life. It is vanity to attend out
to this present life and not to look forward to those things which are to come.
 With great humility and total confidence in God’s loving mercy, they accepted
these death threats knowing that God will never forsake them. God knows every deed that we have
done even it is done in secret. God will reward the good and punish those who do evil. With all
these humiliation, persecution and threats, the experience of the pastors teach us to be calm and
humble. Still we have to forgive those who have done wrong to us, those who hurt us and even
those who wish to take away our own life and do not try to avenge them. For the Book of Sirach
reminds us, “The vengeful will face the Lord’s vengeance, for he keeps a strict account of their
sins. Forgive your neighbor the wrong he has done and then your sins will be pardoned when you
pray.” (Sir. 28:1-2) Moreover, we have to continue doing what is good and fight for what is right,
fear Him at all times because in the end everyone of us will give an account to God, the sole Judge
of the world. “all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandements; for that is the whole
duty of everyone. For God will bring every deed into judgement, including every secret thing
whether good or evil.” (Ecc. 12:13)

Finally, one of the priests said that they would not be silenced by the text messages sent to
them as the only person they feared was God. Still another exclaimed that they prefer no silence
but a clear, calm, and courageous declaration and a firm stand that is to stop the threats and to stop
the killings. They themselves affirm that no threats can intimidate their lives and will make them
give up our prophetic role, especially which of giving voice to the voiceless. For woe to them if
they will not preach the gospel. (1 Cor. 9:16)