It’s Time to Move Forward

INTRODUCTION

I was in Italy when I learned of the killing of Fr. Fausto Tentorio, a member of the Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions (PIME). Immediately after, I started receiving calls and messages from the Philippines and Italy expressing solidarity. I said to myself that Fr. Fausto Tentorio is the third PIME priest killed in the Philippines – Fr. Tullio Favali in 1985, Fr. Salvatore Carzedda in 1992, and now Fr. Fausto. After this thought came the realization that Fr. Tullio was killed in the context of living in a parish to help the Christian community to grow; Fr. Salvatore in the context of dialogue between Christians and Muslims; and now Fr. Fausto, who lived with the tribal people.

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This reflection guided me to another reflection. The death of Fr. Tullio added momentum to help the Filipino people to move towards the event of the EDSA revolution of 1986; the killing of Fr. Salvatore was a great test for the Silsilah Dialogue Movement and those who are committed to Christian-Muslim dialogue in Mindanao. From that test, we said “padayon” (move on) and, from that time on, Silsilah has become stronger: many Christians and Muslims have found more courage to continue on the road of interfaith dialogue in a variety of expressions that make Mindanao a special place where the spirit of dialogue and peace is strongly moving in many individuals.

I believe that now the death of Fr. Fausto, during the month dedicated to the tribal people, will be a factor that will give courage to many in the Church and in the society to be more aware of, and more closely identify with the aspirations of the tribal people in the Philippines. On October 17, the day of Fr. Fausto’s death, I was invited to celebrate Mass in the parish of Fr. Fausto near Milan. Many PIME fathers and priests of the diocese were there in a church that was packed with a lot of people who, in silence and with tears, participated in the Eucharistic celebration. I was invited, as a part of the PIME Community in the Philippines, to share a reflection after the Gospel. I shared what I mentioned above and I try to share here some of my feelings.

The first point for many was “why” Fr. Fausto was killed. I found myself overpowered by the silence of the people. That silence entered my heart and I tried to understand better why this happened to Fr. Fausto. He was a simple, humble and kind person who dedicated his life for the people for thirty years, giving special attention and love to the tribal people of Arakan Valley, in the diocese of Kidapawan.

I prayed and I read the many statements about this sad event of Fr. Fausto’s killing even as I was preparing myself to return to the Philippines. To the friends who have asked me if I was willing to go back to the Philippines I answered with a smile, a way to say: “For sure I go and continue my mission in the best way I can, to be on the side of the people, to continue to build the future peace with many friends and groups.“

Often I remember the words of Jesus: “Do not be afraid….” Yes, this is a time of pain, but also a time of deeper solidarity to continue to “cry peace with our life in dialogue.” To those who have killed Fr. Fausto, I wish to ask: “Why have you killed a father of the tribal people? To make them afraid? No, they will become stronger and all of us will be with them and with those who suffer most in our society.” It is a time to move forward – indigenous people, Christians and Muslims.

On October 27, I was in Assisi with the Holy Father Benedict XVI and other leaders of the world for a special pilgrimage of peace and there I did renew my commitment to continue my mission of dialogue and peace, sure that no one can stop those who work together for the common good. I know this is a difficult time for many reasons, but my consolation is that I see signs of hope and I will continue to move with hope.

It is a time to say together, once again, “padayon!”

Editor’s note: The killers of Fr. Tullio Favali were really after one of his confrères, Fr. Peter Geremia. It is also possible that the murdered Fr. Salvatore Carzedda was mistaken for Fr. Sebastiano D’Ambra, this text’s author.

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