A Declaration of Support for Philippine Human Rights Overwhelmingly Passes at GS35

With a resounding vote of 628 in favor (3 against, 4 abstentions) the Declaration of Support for Philippine Human Rights, a Resolution of Witness, sailed through the plenary of General Synod 35 on July 14.

Committee chair Rev. Terry Parrish introduced it to the Synod crowd saying “It is imperative that we continue to speak to human rights violations still occurring in the Philippines under the auspices of a war on drugs. It is time for us to speak for our neighbor because there may be a day when we need someone to speak for us.”

The declaration states, “The Thirty-Fifth General Synod of the United Church of Christ strongly condemns the violent acts and unjust actions against all people who are standing in solidarity with and caring for all the people in the Philippines who are experiencing social or, political, or economic injustices and violations of their basic human rights.”

Parrish reviewed the learnings of the educational intensives. He shared how the words of partner and honored guest, the Rev. George Lungay, Executive Secretary for Administration, United Church of Christ in the Philippines, affected the committee when Lungay spoke of his experience at home.

Lungay told the committee that since the time of Duterte’s Administration, especially on his war on drugs campaign until the current administration in the Philippines, (lead by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.) there have been abuses power with arbitrary and unlawful killings, red-tagging of human rights activists, Faith based movements, and Church people–including priests and pastors, trumped up charges, enforced disappearances; as well as torture and inhuman treatment. Lungay said he often fears for his own life as a pastor who speaks out against these injustices.

All of the discussion on the plenary floor prior to the vote was in favor of the resolution.

After the vote, Lungay was happy and relieved. “I will be going back to my country and bringing this good news,” he said. “We Filipinos are brave in fighting in all these struggles but at this moment the challenges are so heavy, we really need the support of our partner churches like the UCC.”

He continued. “This resolution will have a big impact, especially on telling our government that there are so many partners around the world like the UCC who are concerned for the Filippino people.”

Submitted by the Central Pacific Conference, put forth by proponent Ann Muir, she believes the declaration will have impact on larger stages. She was very excited about the passage. “For the Filippino church and people to have our support is huge,” she said. “It becomes important on Capitol Hill because now lobbyists aren’t just saying we think this is a good idea, they can say it has the support of the national body of the UCC.”

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