Where are the Prophets?

”Mga Sisters, mga Fathers, kumakatok po kami sa inyo…nasaan na ang mga pastol? Sinisibasib na po kami ng mga lobo! Pinapatay na po kami!!!”

Why is Orly Marcellana asking where are the prophets now?

it is timely to ask this question as we live in a time that is full of uncertainties. Announcing and proclaiming the kingdom of God is dangerous at a time when a bishop, pastors, lay workers and peace advocates are being killed because they denounced human rights violations.

The dearth of prophets was felt even during the period of exile of the Israelites up to the times of John the Baptist. During this period, the prophets were faced with all sorts of danger in acting as spokesperson and conscience of the people.

Today, the people are asking if where are the modern prophets in the struggles and aspirations of the poor and oppressed. Are the prophets still in their comfort zones?

Are the prophets gone?

They are still around. But, perhaps, their social activism has taken a different stroke as the present condition calls for it. The fire of truth, justice and peace sustains their prophetic witnessing. For Carmelites, the prophetic ministry is continuously lived out and expressed in their convictions and programs within the Justice and Peace and Integrity of Creation ministry. In the face of fraud, corruption and human rights violations, our JPIC in collaboration with other JP’s, interfaith and ecumenical movements immediately made its response in defense of the people’s right to life.

Our JPIC convened reflection discussions on the impact of Oplan Bantay Laya (OBL) and the Anti Terror Law on the lives and rights of the people. Our JPIC was also part of the organizers of Forum and Conferences on Charter Change, Extra Judicial Killings and Urban Militarization.

illings to the attention of its broader community. It collaborated with the other Human Rights Organization in the documentation of the testimonies of the survivors and families of victims of extra judicial killings.

Our JPIC workers climbed mountains and crossed rivers during the fact-finding missions and dialogues. Recently, we investigated the atrocities against and the displacement of the indigenous people in Agusan Del Sur.

We are active in joining the mass mobilizations or the parliament of the streets to express solidarity with the peasants, fisherfolks, workers, urban poor and other sectors who are calling and demanding for justice. The parliament of the streets is a venue for the seminarians, student friars and friars to be in solidarity with the struggling poor. Ocarm-JPIC statements have issued statements on the various national issues through the internet, interviews in the leading television networks, radio and print media. We linked up with other Church-based organization such as the Promotion of Church Peoples Response (PCPR); Caraga Church Peoples Against Peoples Repression (CCPAR); Inter-faith Network for Justice and Peace (IFNJPN) ,Task Force on Urban Conscientization (TFUC) and Pilgrims for Peace (PfP) to add our voice on the various issues and concerns.We thank our priests, student friars, associates and lay people in the local communities who keep the charism and tradition to be contemplative in the midst of the people. The challenges ahead is greater. Let us pray and work together as we seek justice and peace in our time.