MANILA, Philippines – Calling it “pure terrorism,” Cotabato Archbishop Orlando Cardinal Quevedo condemned the recent explosion that wounded at least two people outside a Catholic parish in Mindanao. 

In a statement sent from Sri Lanka, Quevedo said the explosion on Sunday, November 27, was “made worse because of the sacredness of the place, the sacredness of the day, and the sacredness of the event that had just taken place.”

The blast happened outside the Our Lady of Hope Parish in Esperanza, Sultan Kudarat, a province in the southern Philippine island group of Mindanao.

Quevedo said it was at the end of the 5:30 am Mass for the first Sunday of Advent, a 4-week season during which Catholics await Christmas.

Quevedo said in his statement on Monday, November 28, “As the leader of the Archdiocese of Cotabato, I voice my strong condemnation against this irrational act of terrorism.”

“It is an attack on innocent human lives. It is also an attack on freedom of religion and freedom to worship,” Quevedo said.

He added: “I appeal to our security and police forces to ferret out those responsible and bring them to justice. Let us all be vigilant against acts of terrorism. May the Lord of mercy and compassion provide us constant protection.” 

Quevedo has pushed for the peace process in Mindanao, parts of which have endured a 4-decade Muslim secessionist movement.

Parts of Mindanao have also been plagued with conflict. In Lanao del Sur, another province in Mindanao, the Maute terror group is now the target of a military offensive after the terrorists occupied an abandoned municipal hall in the town of Butig. – Rappler.com