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Bishop condemns desecration of chapels in Basilan

Philippines | National

Bishop condemns desecration of chapels in Basilan

By Analou de Vera

A Catholic bishop condemned Saturday, Feb. 20, the recent desecration of some chapels in Basilan province.

Bishop Leo Dalmao (PIA / MANILA BULLETIN)

"The Prelature of Isabela de Basilan condemns such disgraceful actions done in the holy season of the Catholic faithful," said Bishop Leo Dalmao in a statement issued on Saturday.

However, Dalmao said that such incidents should not distract the faithful in promoting peace in the area.

"I remind everyone to be vigilant and to refuse any opportunity for these bad elements to succeed in sowing division and hatred among us," he said.

"We will not allow ourselves to be dictated by the agenda of these people and we do not want to dignify their actions by giving them and their actions undue attention and publicity," he added.

On Feb. 17, statues of the two chapels in Lamitan City were damaged and destroyed by unknown assailants.

Dalmao urged the faithful in the province to "pray intensely" that their "efforts for a peaceful and progressive province will be sustained" in spite of the incidents.

"We may fix our gaze on what brings us together as a province (Christians, Muslims, and Indigenous Peoples) rather than on what divides us," he said.

"Take care of our places of worship and watch over them. Take care of one another as one community of God,” he added.

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