Dear Fellow Priests and Brothers,

Rev. Gerardo A. Alminaza, D.D.
Bishop, Diocese of San Carlos
Chairperson, Church People-Workers Solidarity
13 September 2020

Dear Fellow Priests and Brothers,

Greetings!

The year 2020 has brought us a surfeit of challenges testing our faith and Christian commitment. However, with God’s grace and the support of Church people and various sectors of the local population we are confident that we could face them with courage and clarity of purpose. Advent will soon be with us, ushering a season of hope and expectation that will culminate with a joyful celebration of the Lord’s birth on Christmas eve.

In this connection, the Church-people Workers Solidarity (CWS) would like to contribute a measure of hope and a renewed sense of living to our brothers and sisters most affected by the administrative and policy failures of government. Among them are the political prisoners languishing in prison, especially the sick and the elderly, notwithstanding petitions to the Supreme Court to grant them temporary liberty. The prevailing execrable conditions in our prisons render these sisters and brothers most vulnerable to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In particular, we are appealing in behalf of Francisco Fernandez, a former priest and NDFP peace consultant from Negros. More than a year ago, “Fr. Frank,” as he is still fondly addressed by his friends, left Negros to seek medical treatment in Manila because he is suffering from chronic artery disease, chronic stable angina, hypertension stage 2, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and hyponatremia, among other health problems. The 72-year-old Fernandez was arrested on March 24, 2019, and to this day detained at Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City. On humanitarian grounds, church-based organizations and human rights groups are calling for his immediate release due to his worsening health condition.

The CWS would like to appeal to your kind generosity to help support Frank Fernandez, especially for his medical needs. Donations in cash are most welcome. Please deposit them to our BPI Pope Pious bank account name: Churchpeople-Workers Solidarity, Inc. account # 3143-4239-39. Should you have queries, you may contact the CWS secretariat, Tony Balbin through mobile number 0942.198.6383 and email address: [email protected]. Kindly inform Tony when you have deposited a donation so we could provide you an acknowledgement receipt.

May the coming Advent season renew our aspiration for a just and lasting peace in our country and bring about the release of all elderly and sickly prisoners.

In the Lord’s Name we thank you,

 

+Most Reverent Gerardo A. Alminaza, D.D.
Bishop, Diocese of San Carlos
Chairperson, Church People-Workers Solidarity