The General Synod of the Episcopal Church in the Philippines (ECP) met in session from May 9 – 11, 2017 at Trinity University of Asia in Quezon City, Metro Manila. Among several business-related resolutions, the Synod passed resolutions related to legal and social issues current in the nation at this time.
Extrajudicial Killings
Among these, one resolution “express[es] grave concern over these killings and the atmosphere of impunity that now pervades our land and call on the government to put a stop to such killings, investigate the perpetrators and ensure mechanisms for accountability.”
Legal Issues
Two resolutions express opposition to proposed changes in the legal system, one is a proposal to reinstate capital punishment and the other is a proposal to lower the age of criminal responsibility from 15 to 9 years of age.
Both of these resolutions call on the government to focus on strengthening and improving the criminal justice system of the country with a view to emphasizing restorative justice and making criminal proceedings transparent and just.
Peace Process
The General Synod also expressed its “full support to the peace talks between
the government of the republic of the Philippines and the national democratic front.”
As per its long-established stand on these issues, the Synod reiterated that the ECP is “a strong advocate for genuine and lasting peace and believes that this can be attained through sincere and honest dialogue among all contending parties and with the active participation and prayers of the Filipino people;”
Each of these resolutions, besides being commended to all parts of the Church for prayer and action has also been forwarded to the appropriate authorities within the Government as part of the ECP’s ongoing witness to the Kingdom of God in our midst.
