In the wake of the bombing of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines chapel in Pikit town on Wednesday night, the Stated Clerk of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) issued the following letter of support. Two worshipers were killed and three others were injured in the blast.
Bishop Reuel Norman O. Marigza
United Church of Christ in the Philippines
Dear Bishop Marigza,
Grace and peace to you and the United Church of Christ in the Philippines on behalf of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
We are shocked and saddened by the bombing of the UCCP Pikit in Pikit, Cotabato. Our hearts ache at the deaths of Felomena Nacario-Ferolin and Gina Cabiluna. We grieve with their families and friends. We pray for God’s healing for Virginia Manolid, Jeremias and Jerome Dandan, and other church members who were wounded. We ask God to strengthen and sustain the congregation and the United Church of Christ in the Philippines in the aftermath of this attack and for the living of these days.
Such violence can never be justified. We hope the authorities will heed your urging and conduct a thorough, transparent investigation that leads to the identification and prosecution of the perpetrators.
We stand in solidarity with our sisters and brothers in the United Church of Christ in the Philippines in the face of this act. We give thanks for your faithful witness and for the cords of love in Christ that unite us.
May God speed the day when all people turn from violence, weapons are transformed into tools of healing and wholeness, and justice prevails for all in the Philippines and around Gods world.
In the faith we share,
The Rev. Gradye Parsons
Stated Clerk of the General Assembly