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

In the suffering of what Pope Francis has repeatedly called the “martyred people of Ukraine” we can see many traces...
As Christians around the world commemorate Holy Week, Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) recalls the challenges facing Christians...
With elections only weeks away in the world’s most populous country, local human rights organisations are warning of a rise...