OMIs on Mamasapano incidentand 'Compassion, Truth, Justice and Peace'

COTABATO CITY - The Oblates of Mary Immaculate (OMI) congregation is seeking compassion, truth, justice and peace on the Mamasapano incident. Since official investigations have begun, we are for pursuing them to
their rightful end — the truth that leads to justice, on which true peace
builds upon, Fr. Larry de Guia, superior of the OMIs in the Philippines said in a statement Sunday.The Oblates is also opposed to extra constitutional means of changing government or political posturing for personal gains.Below is the full text of theOMI statement. Compassion,
Truth, Justice and Peace

Four weeks
after the tragic conflict at Mamasapano, we, the Oblates of Mary Immaculate in
the Philippines, feel the need to speak our minds and hearts, not only as
citizens but also as missionaries in Mindanao.
We do this even as we continue to pray that the God of mercy and
compassion comfort all those who lost their loved ones, calm the agitation to
seek violent retribution, and help all to discern his loving will in the
aftermath.

Since
official investigations have begun, we are for pursuing them to their rightful
end — the truth that leads to justice, on which true peace builds upon. In the meantime, we must suspend judgment,
and pray for the enlightenment and courage of those entrusted with the task and
responsibility of searching for the truth behind this tragedy.

Amid voices
of discord, we do not support extra-constitutional means of changing the
government of the day, nor of taking advantage of this crisis for political
grandstanding or posturing. We do call
on the government, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, and those with direct
knowledge of events, to be more forthcoming with regard to this whole incident.

We are
extremely saddened that, without taking away any value from the lives lost in
the conflict, the bigger victim is the peace process, for which we have humbly
prayed and contributed our little efforts, believing that it is a step worth
taking towards justice and peace. The restoration
of trust must be taken up anew or rebuilt, not just between the personalities
involved in the formal processes, but more critically, between the people on
the ground, between communities of diverse cultures, faiths, and political
persuasions.
Our Lord
Jesus Christ has manifested to us a God of compassion — a God whose mercy
encompasses all humanity and creation.
Our faith teaches us to pray and strive for communion, reconciliation,
and solidarity among all peoples, based on a life of justice and love. We will keep faith. We will continue to work for justice and
peace. We will resist the temptation to violence. We will pray fervently but humbly.

(Sgd) Fr. Lauro
D. De Guia, OMI

Provincial Superior,Oblates of
Mary Immaculate

Philippine
Province