Bishop Socrates Mesiona of Puerto Princesa

Meeting between Filipino bishop, Muslim leader gesture stronger interfaith tolerance, harmony.

This initiative follows the joint pastoral letter issued on December 1 by Bishop Socrates Mesiona, of the Apostolic Vicariate of Puerto Princesa, Bishop Broderick Pabillo of Apostolic Vicariate of of Taytay, and Bishop Emeritus Edgardo Juanich of Apostolic Vicariate of Taytay.

Bishop Socrates Mesiona underlined the Church’s role in guiding the faithful in taking care of creation as the climate crisis continues to worsen.

“We are deeply saddened and strongly condemn the violent dispersal and unlawful arrests conducted last Friday, April 14, against peaceful rallyists by close to a hundred private security guards of Ipilan Nickel Corporation in Brooke’s Point, backed by a contingent of 30 PNP [Philippine National Police] forces who silently watched and abetted them,” said Bishops Bishop Mesiona and Pabillo,

According to Bishop Mesiona, the protesters, with their "brave acts," put their lives at risk to protect the environment from further devastation.