By REV. LUNA L. DINGAYAN

“Listen, I am sending you out just like sheep to a pack of wolves. You must be cautious as snakes and as gentle as doves. Watch out, for there will be those who will arrest you and take you to court, and they will whip you in the synagogues. For my sake you will be brought to trial before rulers and kings, to tell the Good News to them and to the Gentiles.” — Matthew 10:16-18

Heroes of the Faith

I belong to a church accused of being “a communist front” and considered by the military and the present government as an “enemy” of the state primarily because of its critical stance against all forms of human rights violations. For we do believe that human life is sacred and that human beings are created in God’s image. Hence, our church has a continuing program for the upholding and protection of human rights. Ironically, however, in many cases those who uphold and defend human rights become the victim themselves.

Since President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo came into power in 2001, there were already 16 church workers and lay leaders of our church who were brutally killed in cold blood. This is not to mention those who were killed before the Arroyo Regime. Even though the military and government authorities may consider them “enemies” of the state, we regard them as heroes of the faith. And if justice would not be served to them in this world, we do believe that in the fullness of time the Great Judge of all will give them the justice they deserve.

Common to all those who had been brutally killed is the fact that they were men and women who had taken their Christian faith seriously in the dangerous yet challenging arena of politics and economics. They did not only speak of the Gospel of Christ; they also concretely lived out the demands of the Gospel in the service of the people, especially to those who have less in life. They did not only speak of the truth; they also courageously stood and even fight for the truth. They were committed to live the life of Christ who also died for the sake of humanity, and they were willing to die for His sake.

But here lies the problem – the present government seems to consider an “enemy” of the state anyone who is critical or against the evils of the state. Opposition is supposed to be the one that makes democracy alive. By cracking down on every form of dissent, there would come a time when we become an authoritarian state, without even knowing it.

Alarming incidents

The recent incidents involving some of our pastors are quite alarming to say the least. On March 30, former Conference Minister Rev. Carlos “Caloy” de la Cruz of the Lowland Cavite – South Manila Conference and his companion Emiliano Cajono were abducted in Dasmariñas, Cavite. Pastor Caloy was reportedly tortured. They were released the following day.

On April 21, Pastor Francisco “Jun” Bonuan was also arrested and was detained in Camp Dangwa for his alleged participation in the killing of Conrado Balweg, a former rebel priest who returned to the fold of the law. Originally, there were fourteen John and Jane Does in the case, and the military and government authorities eventually named outspoken government critics in the area of North Luzon as the ones responsible, even when the New People’s Army Command in Abra already owned up to the killing. Most of those alleged “killers” arrested earlier, like Pastor Jun, were released by the Court for lack of evidence.

Then, on May 27, Pastor Berlin Guerrero was also abducted at gunpoint by armed men who were later on identified as police intelligence operatives, on board two L300 vans with covered plate numbers. Pastor Berlin, together with his wife, was just through with their worship service in his church assignment in Biñan when he was forcibly picked up.

While there was a frantic search for his whereabouts, Pastor Berlin called up his wife saying that he was at the Police Headquarters in Camp Gen. Pantaleon Garcia in Imus, Cavite. Pastor Berlin claimed that he was tortured by his abductors, although the Cavite police director, Senior Superintendent Fidel Posadas insisted that Pastor Berlin was simply arrested on the basis of two warrants of arrest for inciting to sedition and murder.

I know Pastor Berlin personally. He was one of our young people at Ang Sambahan sa Nayon, Union Theological Seminary, Pala-pala, Dasmariñas, Cavite, when I was assigned there as a young pastor many years ago. He was a very soft-spoken person, a brilliant student, and deeply involved in the cause for justice and peace. He comes from a family of pastors: he has three brothers who are all pastors. His two uncles are pastors and his own father, later on, also entered the seminary and became a pastor.

I could not believe that Pastor Berlin could do the things that he was accused of. But I know that he is a person with deep compassion for the poor and the oppressed. And in a country like ours, anyone who truly cares for the poor is a suspect; anyone who asks serious questions why people are poor is considered an “enemy” of the state. I know that Pastor Berlin, being a Christian and a pastor at that, has been showing compassion for the poor and oppressed, not so much because of ideology but because of his faith in the God who is loving and compassionate to the last, the least, and the lost.

Certainly, those who abducted and tortured Pastor Berlin, Pastor Caloy, and Pastor Jun, may also claim that they believe in God. But I’m not so sure what kind God they believe in. But I surely know that the God of the Bible is a God of love and compassion.

Cost of discipleship

Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ gives warning to all those who are truly his disciples. He says, “Listen, I am sending you out just like sheep to a pack of wolves. You must be cautious as snakes and as gentle as doves. Watch out, for there will be those who will arrest you and take you to court, and they will whip you in the synagogues. For my sake you will be brought to trial before rulers and kings, to tell the Good News to them and to the Gentiles.” (Mt.10:16-18)

Truly, we are like sheep amidst a pack of wolves. But nevertheless, we are comforted by the words of the Lord, saying: “When they bring you to trial, do not worry about what you are going to say or how you will say it; when the time comes, you will be given what you will say. For the words you will speak will not be yours; they will come from the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.” (Mt.10:19-20)

It is our fervent prayer that the Lord’s words of comfort and assurance will be fulfilled, indeed, in the lives of Pastor Caloy, Pastor Jun, and Pastor Berlin, and to all those who suffer persecution in these evil times, because of their faith in Christ. Amen. #