By Fr. Cresencio Suarin

Associate Missionary

I’m Fr. Cresencio L. Suarin, known as Dodo, a diocesan priest from Pitogo, Pagadian Diocese, Mindanao. I volunteered to work with the Columban Fathers in Pakistan. I arrived in Pakistan, April 1993. I’m the first Filipino priest to work in Pakistan. There are five Filipino Columban lay missionaries, 15 Filipina sisters of different congregations, one Filipino Brothers of Charity and over a thousand Filipino workers all over Pakistan.

Bishop Tobias Program

During the time Bishop Tony Tobias, we had a programme of our diocese that priest who have been fifteen years in the service were encourage to observe as missionaries in other countries. I felt drawn to this program and really challenged to put into action. Secondly, the Lord Jesus continued to invite me to go out to the whole world (Mt. 28:19-20), I was challenged to live out this invitation and by the grace of the Lord I accepted It.

Difficult Moment

I was in Australia taking mission orientation course when I was received the news that I’ll be assigned in Pakistan. At first, I had negative feelings about it sue to the fact that the mission country that I’m going to is a Muslim State. It was still very fresh in my minds when two of my brothers (Francisco and Gabriel) were killed by the Muslims rebels in Mindanao. That was during the height of the Christian and Muslim conflict exactly 23 years exactly years earlier. My brothers were just two among the many victims of that war which only now is cooling. Both Christians and Muslim suffered a lot of casualties not only their loved ones but also their important properties and belongings. One thing clear that came to my mind when I received my assignment was that the Lord was asking me to practice the virtue of forgiveness not only to the Muslims in Mindanao but also to the Muslims in Pakistan and Muslim all over the world.

Our Activities

I am now in Pakistan and decided our parish activities, I am also involved in giving lectures as part of a programme for the Junior Professed Sister. Recollection days and retreats. We also have a monthly Filipino Mass in Lahore and on some occasions I join their social gathering.

Swearing on Bible

Recently, a Christian who belonged to our parish was accused of stealing. The Muslim leaders looked for a priest and Christian leaders to be witnesses. The Christian suspect agreed to take an oath in the Bible that he was not involved in the theft. I found this gesture a very positive way of solving the problem in the community.

Human Rights

Several times I attended meetings of a group called “Faith -in –Action” which is composed of Christians and Muslims. Through their sharing together they aim to know and learn from one another, discuss relevant and sensitive issues and how to find ways and means to solve the problem. Human rights advocates are gradually growing not only in numbers but also their awareness of the different abuses and injustices in the country.

Blasphemy Laws

While it is true that many such positive things are happening in Pakistan, it is sad to note than many Christian and Muslims are afraid of the blasphemy laws. A person found guilty of blaspheming the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) =PBUH) – offending religious sensitivities by doing, writing or saying offensive remarks about the Prophet and sacred texts – will be jailed and sentenced to death. Many of the victims of this law are members of the Ahmadi community, and these are also some Christians. Two Christians who were accused of blaspheming the Prophet were recently acquitted due to lack of evidence. But even so they had to go abroad for their safety. Sad to say, their families were harassed by fanatics.

Corruption

Unless the victim gives a substantial amount of money as a bribe the police often will not arrest habitual criminals. Women both Muslim and Christian are often treated as second class citizen in Pakistan. Most of them have to stay at home to take care of the children and their husbands and do house hold work. Only thus are they called “good” women. Muslims are often given the first preference to work in higher office of the government. Thus we seldom find Christian working in a white collar jobs. Most of the Christians work in manual labour. Poverty is the daily reality for the majority of the population – be they Christian, Hindu or Muslim.