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Millions of children worldwide endure forced labor and exploitation, with many trafficked for sex or difficult work. In the Philippines, poverty and weak law enforcement fuel this crisis, demanding urgent action to protect the most vulnerable.
Bishops must report all serious, credible allegations of child abuse to the Vatican. If a bishop does not act, he will be held accountable. Also, all Catholic clergy and lay people are required to report abuse to the civil authorities.
Some Filipino bishops and priests fail to uphold the teachings of the Church and Pope Francis and hold clerical child abusers to account in a court of law for their heinous crimes. These clerics offer payments and college education to silence the victims and their parents.
Many journalists are courageous, fearless and pay the ultimate price for revealing the truth about corruption and serious wrong-doing by police, military, politicians and business people. Frequently, there is retribution for those with the courage to expose evil.
Senator Grace Poe said there are 900,000 court cases left unresolved and undecided for many years. It was an astounding revelation. The complainants are waiting for justice to be served. “Justice delayed is justice denied” is a sign hanging in many Philippine courtrooms.
The brave Filipinos who love their country are committed to helping the poor and the exploited and are changing the culture of corruption and injustice that pervades our nation are being killed and arbitrarily arrested. Good people must support them and demand an end to the violence against them.
In his latest apostolic visit to the Asia-Pacific region, Pope Francis delivered a message of peace, dialogue, and tolerance between religions and warned against extremism. Much of the hatred and violence has been disseminated through social media platforms under the guise of “freedom of speech”.
The mission of evangelization that began when Jesus commissioned the Twelve Apostles to go and preach the Gospel to all nations is “a tireless going out towards all humanity,” says Pope Francis. Let us join him in inviting everyone “to the Lord’s banquet.”
There is an urgent need for legislation establishing the children’s court system and more government-funded therapeutic homes for healing and empowering child abuse victims.
We have seen a dangerous escalation in the Middle East because of the war in Gaza. Iran has attacked targets in Iraq and Pakistan. The Houthis are targeting ships in the Red Sea. Hezbollah and Israel are exchanging fire across the Lebanese border. Does religion have anything to do with it?
