The Catholic bishops of the Davao region criticized the country’s “culture of theft” as a shameful image for the Philippines as a Christian nation.
In a joint pastoral letter, the bishops said corruption and the “culture of death” have caused the pursuit of holiness to fade, while the “culture of sin” prevailed.
“It is a shameful image of a Christian nation,” read the letter, signed by Archbishop Romulo Valles of Davao and bishops Guillermo Afable of Digos, Midel Aseo of Tagum and Abel Apigo of Mati.
The bishops said the Philippines, once a model of peaceful change, failed to sustain honesty and justice after two EDSA revolutions, which brought change to the government.
“The corruption which we hated worsened and theft aggravated,” the bishops said, urging Filipinos to reject dishonest practices and restore integrity in public life.
They stressed that justice must reach all, including the powerful. “Justice is for all—rich or poor,” they said, calling on courts to prosecute fraud and government fund theft.
The bishops highlighted flood control scams and other corrupt projects, urging citizens to remain vigilant over the 2026 national budget and ensure public funds are used fairly.
“This is our cry, being one as a Church,” they said. “The Church will always call for justice…”
The pastoral letter also urged Catholics to begin transformation with themselves, embracing hope and living virtuous Christian lives while resisting corruption.
“We do not let ourselves be swayed by the culture of theft and the ‘culture of disrespecting the Sacredness of Life,’ instead, we express our determination to transform our lives and our nation,” they said.
