Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Manila (Fides Service) - “The Kingdom of God is where justice is done, the poor have an equal share and no one suffers discrimination. This is the path Jesus walked, the one we strive to follow and it began in a stable at Bethlehem”: said Fr Shay Cullen, a missionary who works with disadvantaged children in the Philippines. Fr. Shay, an Irish Columban Missionary, started the PREDA Foundation in 1974 with Merle and Alex Hermoso, a Filipino couple dedicated to helping Filipino youth. Today PREDA's work has expanded into preventive education, community development, livelihood development, fair trading activities and many more related projects.
In a Christmas reflection Fr. Shay - well known and appreciated for his work to help those in need, children in particular - speaks of the difficult social and political situation in the Philippines underlining the role of the local Catholic Church as a certain moral and civil reference point for all. “The birthday of Jesus is a remembrance and celebration of what e brought into the world - the universal recognition and confirmation of the dignity of every human being and the need for all to protect and defend these inalienable God-given rights…Speaking our for truth and justice is the heart of Christmas” Fr Cullen said.
In a situation of political and social crisis, in which corruption and personal interests threaten to prevail over the common good “the Church cannot play blind, deaf and mute to the sufferings caused by these problems, she must exercise her moral and spiritual leadership”, said Fr. Shay recalling the poverty affects 80% of the population. He also stigmatised a “season of political homicides” in the past 12 months with ‘death squads’ involved in ‘extrajudicial executions’ of journalists, human rights activists, politicians. The missionary concluded by saying that the Church in the Philippines will continue to give voice to the voiceless and serve the common good.(PA) (Agenzia Fides 19/12/2006 righe 27 parole 278)
