MINDANAO INTERFAITH COUNCIL

[FE VILLANUEVA-CORPUZ]

To all my friends:

Prior to the holding of the First Mindanao Interfaith Congress (FMIC), A Pre-Congress was held on January 30-31, 2009. One of the major output was the organization of an interfaith council for Mindanao, hence the creation of the MINDANAO INTERFAITH COUNCIL which document for SEC registration is on final process, a prerequisite for the holding of the FMIC.

Please read thoroughly the purposes. Your comments are very highly appreciated.

The final date of the FMIC will be announced soon, which will also mark the inaugural of MIC.

God bless you all!!!

PURPOSES

1. To demonstrate in Mindanao the workability of a leverage for interfaith participation in the Philippine Government through which the Filipino’s spirituality is channeled or harnessed, to exercise the following functions, taken collectively as:
* Mediator as Agent for reconciliation in conflict situations involving spiritual concerns and peoples, and instrument of cooperation among all sectors of society, Church and State in working out ways and means of promoting peace, equality, unity and justice for all;
* Spokesman for Morality by providing a forum for discussions of moral and ethical issues affecting the life of peoples through democratic consultation which shall provide public opinion and adequate basis for the formation of laws to guide the decisions of policy-makers;
* Chaplain as Shepherd proclaiming the Gospel of Love and Righteousness in word and deed, always seeking Scriptural, constructive and non-violent ways in promoting the well-being of the Filipinos in cooperation with all sectors, for just, participatory, humane, honest and sustainable society; and
* Guardian of Religious Freedom to Safeguard the sacred provision in our Philippine Constitution and recognizing that the authorities of both Church and State come from God directly, the Spiritual Leader enunciates religious freedom for all, with the State giving due respect to all religions, denominations and churches, with no particular religion favored;
2. To implement the interfaith movement in Mindanao which started in 1972 in the light of a challenge for every Filipino to participate in nation-building regardless of faith, belief, or denominational affiliation, with the following provisions:
* That there would be no attempt to form a one-world religion;
* That spiritual servant-leaders should have their own definition of peace;
* That the interfaith council respects the duly constituted civilian or government authority.
3. To lead in implementing all possible alternatives to shooting wars in partnership with all spiritual servant-leaders of The Most High God to prove that it is alright to hold different doctrines or theological viewpoints and at the same time, work together as fellow citizens, and if possible, combining whatever resources they can pool together in bringing about total development through peaceful or non-violent means, without competing with political leaders and in cooperation with as many sectors of society;
4. To firm up action plans on the socio-economic development of Mindanao and gather comprehensive ideas and proposals of project(s) and agricultural programs, particularly in ancestral domains and in Muslim communities based on the historical fact that the Maguindanaos, the Maranaos, the Tausugs, B’laans, the Manobos, the T’bolis, the Tirurays, and all other ethnic tribes were placed by God Himself in their original ancestral abodes as stewards of His land, long before outsiders “invaded” their territories, since these places have long been neglected, where the country’s untapped natural resources are located. Such development to begin with fast-crop food production to arrest malnutrition, followed by the building of better houses, schools, roads, health centers -- Interfaith Center(s) -- and other facilities or infrastructures with the goal that Mindanao will be the most developed island in the Philippines, both spiritually and socio-economically.
5. To make available to all government and non-government leaders the help of the interfaith community towards the attainment of peace in Mindanao.

FE VILLANUEVA-CORPUZ
Project Director

[Rev. Dr. Jorge Garcia]

Everything sounds great with the reference to God as real (as a matter of fact, your acknowledgment of the presence of God places your statement as one of the highest I have ever seen). But, I would warn you about the "interpretation" of item #4. Never allow a faith, whose ultimate goal is the destruction of another faith by whatever means, ANY rationale to believe that their dominance of a particular area is a "divine right." You have opened this door when you refer to those who brought the gospel of Jesus Christ as "invaders." Eternal Salvation is far more important than territorial rights and cultural identity. All those earthly things will pass. This is not to say that there should be one religion in RP, but look at those religions and how they view other religions. Christians are to go, teach and baptize (Mat 28:19-20). Islam warrants violence and death against the infidels (check with the 8th and 9th chapters of the Koran). Encourage peace, tolerance and condemnation of violence and make these the pillars of "Interfaith." Those who do not ascribe to these pillars do not deserve nor desire to be involved in your council.