Philippines: March to remember Fr. Tentorio

A great three day pilgrimage begins Saturday, to remember Father Fausto Tentorio, of the Pontifical Institute for Foreign Mission (PIME) PIME, who was killed in Arakan a month ago, and to demand an end to human rights abuses on the large island of Mindanao, Southern Philippines.

The initiative, organized on the 40th day after the death of the missionary, was launched by the Movement “Justice for Father Pops Tentorio” which welcomes more than 50 religious congregations and organizations of civil society, hundreds of priests, religious women, missionaries and human rights activists. The march begins in Davao, Kidapawan and other surrounding areas, and arrives in Arakan Valley, to visit the places where Fr. Fausto has lived and worked among the indigenous tribals.

The Italian missionary was brutally shot dead on 17th October in Arakan Valley, North Cotabato, Philippines. According to his co-workers, Fr. Tentorio’s killing could have been related to his staunch opposition to large-scale mining in the province.

Fr Gianni Re PIME missionary and confrere of Fr Tentorio about the commemorations: “This weekend marks 40 days since the death of Fr. Fausto, so, as per local tradition the people of Arakan Valley have organised masses and events to commemorate, him his life and his work”.

The PIME missionary who is also based in Arakan Valley says they are trying to continue Fr Fausto’s work and he also prays that the governments inquires into the assassination will soon bear fruit so that justice can be done for Fr. Fausto and the people of the Valley:

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