Let Not Fr. Fausto Tentorio Die in Vain (Media Statement - Peace Advocates Zamboanga)

WE condemn in the strongest terms the murder and killing of Fr. Fausto Tentorio, a religious of the Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions (PIME), who was treacherously shot dead in the premises of his Our Lady of Perpetual Help parish in Arakan Valley, North Cotabato last Monday, October 17, 2011. We grieve over the tragic loss to God and mankind of another faithful worker in the mission to build the Kingdom of God.

Fr. Tentorio served and helped the people of Central Mindanao, especially the much-marginalized indigenous peoples of the region, for some 30 years. His death is an irreparable loss to the people of his community. But with him all people who believe in what he struggled and worked for – justice, love, freedom, truth, and peace - partly die, too.

His killing is an indictment not just of those who executed him, but of the society that produced the killer/s and the motive behind the evil and barbaric act. Fr. Tentorio pursued his pastoral duties with an uncommon zeal and courage because he daily witnessed the unjust and unjustifiable sufferings of the people around him. Their sufferings have been the results of the greed, betrayals, violence and corruption committed by others, perhaps by a nameless many day in and day out. This is the real culture of impunity that is said to be rife hereabouts.

The President has reflexively ordered the investigation and arrest of the perpetrator/s. But even in the rare event that the killer/s is caught, that would not be enough. Government has a constitutional, political and moral duty to wipe out the culture of impunity afflicting our society and people. It is a spreading cancer that results in rising insurgency, terrorism, criminality, and poverty.

We hope and pray that the killing of Fr.Tentorio will arouse local people and communities from apathy, indifference and cynicism - and so to inspire and energize us all to carry on his work and mission wherever we may be. By so doing, we shall affirm to God and ourselves that there is hope in our dreams for peace and better life, and that Fr. Tentorio did not live and die in vain.

Read it at Mindanao Examiner.

October 20, 2011 07:28:01 PM

What other people are saying about Fr. Fausto's death

I have no hesitation to call Fr. Fausto Tentorio, PIME, as a martyr for justice and peace.-Abp. Orlando Quevedo (mindanews.com)

“All our peace efforts will be in vain if we cannot give justice to his death. He committed himself to work with the people in North Cotabato,” – North Cotabato Gov. Emmylou  Mendoza (mindanews.com)

“Napakabait na pari yan. He really cooperated here during our meetings or any activities. Pero sa pagpatay sa kanya, malaking issue ito dito,”  - Police Chief Inspector Benjamin Rioflorido

“Justice should be immediately rendered for Fr. Tentorio and all victims of summary executions. Such climate of impunity exists to this day, thus victimizing anti-mining advocates such as Fr. Tentorio because of the non-prosecution of those accountable for the previous cases of human rights violations and the existing counter-insurgency plan Oplan Bayanihan of the Aquino administration.” - Cristina Palabay, End Impunity Alliance Convenor (mindanaoexaminer.com)

“For a fellow missionary who selflessly worked to help the Indigenous Peoples and the poor farmers of Arakan Valley in North Cotabato to die in such a manner, we are saddened by the fact that there are sectors in our society who are against our work to help bring about peace in Mindanao,” Fr. Lauro de Guia, OMI provincial superior said in a statement. (newslinktv.blogspot.com, interaksyon.com)

Needless waste of compassionate & dedicated people. –Danilo Reyes on Twitter

Fr. Tentorio was a man of few words and few of his writings remain. But the love that the natives had for him, alive and now dead, remains strong.-Bernardo Cervellera, www.asianews.it

“This is a very sad incident… this is very painful for us because all the while we thought Kidapawan is already a peaceful place,” he said.- Kidapawan Bishop Romulo dela Cruz , cbcpnews.com

Martyr for Justice and Peace

By Abp. Orlando B. Quevedo, OMI, DD | Monday| October 17, 2011 | Filed under: Mindaviews
source:http://www.mindanews.com/mindaviews/2011/10/17/commentary-martyr-for-justice-and-peace/

BANGKOK — I have no hesitation to call Fr. Fausto Tentorio, PIME, as a martyr for justice and peace. He is a worthy member of that noble line of martyrs in the Church in Mindanao who in their lives advocated causes that would help create a more just, a more peaceful, a more loving society. Such causes are for the poor like the indigenous peoples as well as for the integrity of creation.

That line of martyrs includes Fr. Alingal, S.J., and Fr. Nerylito Satur (diocesan priest) in the Diocese of Malaybalay, Fr. Tullio Favali, PIME, in the Diocese of Kidapawan, Fr. Carzedda PIME in the Archdiocese of Zamboanga, Bishop Ben de Jesus, OMI, Fr. Benjie Inocencio, OMI, and Fr. Rey Roda, OMI, all three from the Apostolic Vicariate of Jolo.

Fr. Fausto was a young missionary priest when he was assigned to the Diocese of Kidapawan which I led as its Bishop (from 1980 to 1986). He learned Ilonggo quickly and spoke it almost all the time. Like all the PIME in the Diocese of Kidapawan, he was very close to the people, and his convento in Arakan or in Columbio was open to the people. It was always a great joy for me to see him at the Bishop’s Residence in Kidapawan taking his day off and watching a VHS movie or two after a long week of trekking up the mountains of Arakan or visiting the villages of Columbio. Like Fr. Tullio, he had a soft easy smile and a voice that invited conversation. The only enemies he could make are those who wanted to silence his voice appealing for justice and peace for the indigenous peoples and for God’s creation.

I cannot fathom the minds of people who would be so evil as to plot the killing of a justice and peace loving missionary like Fr. Fausto. His assassination creates profound sadness and brings tears to the people who know of his kindness as well as his courage in the face of hazards to his life.

His death is pure murder. I totally condemn it as a crime that cries out to heaven. If the perpetrators think that his murder would silence priests, religious sisters and brothers, and bishops from proclaiming the justice of God’s kingdom, they are wrong. The blood of martyrs like Fr. Fausto fans the daring and courage of those who care about peace and justice enough to sacrifice themselves while travelling the road of active non-violence. I strongly appeal to the authorities to search for the perpetrators and bring to justice.

My prayers to the loving Lord for my friend, Fr. Fausto, PIME. (Archbishop Orlando B. Quevedo, OMI, of the Archdiocese of Cotabato was Bishop of Kidapawan from 1980 to 1986. One of his priests then, Fr. Tullio Favali, was gunned down by a group of paramilitary elements on April 11, 1985 in Tulunan, North Cotabato.  Quevedo learned about Fr. Tentorio’s murder only when he opened his mobile phone upon arrival in Bangkok for a conference of Asian bishops Monday afternoon. “This sad news affected me greatly and my mind went back to my six years in Kidapawan (1980-86) and my experiences with the young Fausto.”)