Baclaran Church, pinalitan ang "INRI" sign na nakalagay sa Krus ni Hesus ng isang Cardboard na may sulat!

The National Shrine of Our Mother of Perpetual Help, also called the Redemptorist Church or the “Baclaran Church”, is not new when it comes to making bold statements which condemn the government’s actions that the Church deems to be wrong. It is one of the most vocal and fearless parishes when it comes to condemning extra-judicial killings.

Last year, as the tradition of “Simbang Gabi“ started, churchgoers of Baclaran stumbled upon an unexpected sight. Mounted outside the church were chilling photos of the killings linked to government’s war on drugs. Poster-sized and illuminated, the Redemptorist Church admitted that it was the one who spearheaded the said project to show its condemnation of the killings.

According to Retired Archbishop Oscar Cruz, “Sampu lang naman ang utos ng Diyos eh. Isa nga po dyan ay huwag kang papatay. Ang estado ay hindi naman siya ang nagbigay ng buhay ng tao. Anong karapatan niyang kunin ito?”

This year, the Baclaran Church again encouraged people to make a stand against extra-judicial killings. It covered the INRI sign of its crucifix with a cardboard that says “Stop the Killings”, mimicking the ones left on top of drug suspects in the vigilante-style killings. The covering of the crucifix was part of the weekend-long activities of the Church for Human Rights Day. The big reveal of the 700-foot long mural wall “Panagpo” depicting the parish’s seven missions, which include human rights protection, is also part of the said activities. It is the latest Baclaran church display in protest of the killings in the Duterte administration’s war on drugs. The activities are intended to raise awareness and spark conversations on human rights.

On Saturday, December 9, the “Kilusang Artikulo 13” movement was also launched in the Baclaran Church by Redemptorist priests and groups alike. “Artikulo 13” refers to Article XIII of the Philippine Constitution, where “Social Justice and Human Rights” can be found. This movement urges the government to respect life and human rights.

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