When the prophetic voice of Father Picx spoke out, 2

BY FR. SHAY CULLEN

THERE was hope. There were the brave voices of the prophets of peace and among the few there was the persistent voice and protest action for human rights and peace of Father Amado Picardal who was known as Father Picx.

This brave and courageous missionary of the religious order of the Redemptorists saw clearly the threat to life, the degradation of human dignity, and he spoke out and stood against the death squads and the violations of human rights.

Father Picx was the light that came to shine in the darkness of evil and illuminated the truth of what was happening. Like his friend, Jesus of Nazareth, the washer of feet, challenger of corrupt authority, supporter of the poor and oppressed, Father Picx bravely did the same. A true servant of the poor, he stood with the vulnerable, with the victims and their families. He denounced the killings of suspects. He documented many atrocities and he brought together the information gathered by the members of the Coalition Against Summary Execution (CASE) and his facts and findings were adopted by the International Criminal Court in their on-going investigation of former President Rodrigo Duterte. Father Picx died peacefully at his hermitage in Cebu last May 29, 2024.

But some brave true Christians that believed truth and justice would overcome evil continued to speak against the forces of evil. These good people stood against the tyranny of killings. Father Flavie Villanueva was quoted as saying at the time “What’s left to be seen is the change of heart, is that collective voice on how to specifically respond to the growing evil.” Father Albert Alejo said, “from the top down, the clergy has been intimidated into silence.” Some clergy and religious supported the president, he said.

Today there is a history of shame, a collective sin of allowing evil to thrive, goodness to be ignored, and a great social sin hangs over the institution. Even child abusing priests are protected.

There was great moral corruption in society that was duped into believing whatever they were and are told to believe through social media. They blindly and foolishly believed the politician who said he will give them a better life, free from crime. Yet more and greater crimes were committed. They had released a terrible tiger from its cage, the death squad. May good people take action so that it will never happen again. (preda.org)