In a statement signed by Archbishop Orlando Quevedo, chairman of the Catholic bishops´ conference of the Philippines, the Church urged forgiveness and nonviolence, but did not exclude «just punishment» for the perpetrators of the Sept. 11 terrorist attack on the United States.
At the same time, Archbishop Quevedo emphasized that a «world war against terrorism, particularly if the Afghan Taliban are attacked,» will not contribute to improving already difficult relations between the Catholic majority and Islamic minority in the Philippines.
A few days ago, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo declared her full support for the U.S. initiatives against terrorism, offering the United States the use of some airports.
According to latest reports, two Filipinos died and an additional 115 are still missing, after the attacks on New York´s World Trade Center.
