This coming June, church people from around the world will gather in Rome, Italy for a historic conference called “Pagtatanim: Sowing the Seeds of Faith Solidarity for the Filipino People’s Struggle for Peace.” According to the International Coalition for Human Rights in the Philippines (ICHRP), the conference of various faiths aims to strengthen the movement of solidarity for the Filipino people and to mobilize the faithful community to join and support the most oppressed people in the Philippines.

Pagtatanim was organized by human rights and faith organizations inside and outside the Philippines such as ICHRP, International Interfaith Network for the Philippines, and Ecumenical Voice for Peace (EcuVoice).

The activity also receives support from different faith institutions and organizations such as the World Council of Churches, World Communion of Reformed Churches, World Christian Student Federation, United Methodist Church—General Board of Church and Society, Disciples of Christ and United Church of Christ—Board of Global Ministries, United Church of Canada, Anglican Church of Canada, and KAIROS—Canadian Ecumenical Justice Initiative.

According to ICHRP, the intensifying state violence amid the continuing economic crisis shows that the poverty and suffering of the Filipino people remain unresolved. The current times call on the global faith sector to witness and accompany the Filipino people in their struggle for a just and lasting peace.

People of faith have long stood with the Filipino people. In the 1980s, faith communities worldwide played a critical role in denouncing the Marcos regime’s brutality and corruption. Church networks exchanged information with international communities about martial law and campaigned for the regime’s end.

“There is a great need to expand the movement for solidarity in the current context of widespread poverty, militarization, and state terrorism. Pagtatanim will gather the people of faith to continue the tradition of solidarity and action for just peace in the Philippines,” ICHRP added.