A message of peace from Mgr. Antonio Javellana Ledesma, Archbishop of Cagayan de Oro, Philippines

Two bombs exploded during Sunday Mass in the Cathedral of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Jolo, Philippines. According to local police, 20 people were killed, and dozens more were wounded. The Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack that happened within a week of a referendum in which the Muslim-majority region of Mindanao voted for greater autonomy. Since 2000, there have been at least ten attacks on or near the cathedral. The Archbishop of Cagayan de Oro Mgr. Antonio Javellana Ledesma spoke to ACN: “I am concerned about the incident, because it may disturb the peace process that started with the Organic Law for the Bangsamoro.”

Our Task Areas
Our Regional Activities
Press contact

Latest News

We ask you to continue helping us—to pray a lot, and to encourage others to pray. To seek peace and justice by all means...
“They had very little to begin with—they were already among the poorest in the region—and now they have nothing left.”...
“They came in large numbers, and it was impossible for the guards to stop them,” explained Bishop Gabriel Dunia of Auchi in a call with ACN...