Fr. Fausto Tentorio, a martyr for indigenous peoples

“Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it. ”(Luke 13:34)

We express our deepest grief and indignation over the killing of Fr. Fausto “Pops” Tentorio, an Italian priest and missionary to the Lumad tribes of Arakan Valley, North Cotabato. There are not enough words to express our sorrow. Father Tentorio served the indigenous people in Mindanao since 1978 and was the head of the Tribal Filipinos Apostolate of the Diocese of Kidapawan until his death. He was gunned down in the morning of Oct. 17, 2011 by helmet-wearing, motorcycle-riding gunmen.

We mourn with the members of his religious congregation and share with them their grief. Father Tentorio’s ministry was a great testimony of how the Church can always be in the service of those who have been marginalized and made poor by the system.

We grieve with the Lumad people and the indigenous peoples across the country who lost a man whose life had been a representation of hope, nurtured their dream, and celebrated the diversity of faith expressions (but) united in fulfilling the greatest commandment of loving our neighbor.

Father Tentorio dared to promote sustainable agriculture and community-oriented, capacity-building development programs. He has been one with the Lumad communities and a voice against military operations. We are certain that it was not the will of God that his life was ended in such undue time and circumstance. His life, works and ministry have been welcomed and embraced by the tribal communities. The mastermind who ordered the firing of the bullets that killed him has sacrificed him on the altar of injustice and hate.

We are greatly disturbed that such crimes continue to be committed with impunity under the current Aquino administration. Father Tenorio’s murder brings to mind the activists, rights defenders and church people killed during the presidency of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. This recent killing alarms us. Father Tentorio is the third of church people killed under present government—after Benjie Bayles, a member of Iglesia Filipina Independiente, and Abe Sungit of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines. All of them were advocates of justice, peace and the integrity of creation. Father Tentorio is the 31st church people and second Roman Catholic killed in such manner since 2001. We have but one call: Justice for Father Tentorio!

We demand that the Aquino administration hasten the investigation into his murder and make sure that justice is served. Stop the killing of our prophets!

—NARDY SABINO,

general secretary,

Promotion of Church People’s Response,

pcprnatl@gmail.com