Retribution

Neil M. Espino
11 – St. Marcelinus

No man holds power over the life of another. To strike one's brethren dead is
unfathomable, for we are humans; beings made to love and not to slaughter one
another.

Recently, the Christian community in the Philippines has been shocked by a multitude
of cases involving the brutal killings of priests. To imagine that humans would dare raise
their hands against these clergymen, truly our country is in a state of chaos wherein
even the religious are unprotected, as they are forsaken by the people whom they seek
to evangelize.

One of the most discussed cases is the murder of Fr. Mark Ventura, who was shot dead
by riding-in-tandem killers on April 29, 2018. The priest was allegedly involved in illicit
affairs. with several married women. However, it is believed that Ventura was purposely
"silenced", as he was openly an advocate against mining. Still, the unproven is never
enough to justify this heinous crime committed against both Christianity and humanity.

There is much debate regarding the motives behind these killings. Others claim that
these killings are caused by political quarrels between the clerical orders and the
government. It is also possible that these killings are merely fruit of personal issues
private individuals may have against these priests. However, murder is undeniably an
atrocity of the worst kind.

Moreover, it is believed that these killings are done as retribution against members of
the clergy, due to their influence and activeness in the field of politics and other
government affairs that involve their local communities. There is a clear agreement
between both parties that there must be separation between the Church and the state,
yet the Church remains steadfast in promoting religious ideologies that sometimes
contradict present political beliefs followed by certain government leaders.

To spill the blood of one's brother as Cain has done against Abel is an evil of the
greatest form. To turn one's hand against a priest, a leader of Christ's church, is darker.
What are the implications of these murders? What has our nation become?

Stop the killings. End the bloodshed.