ZAMBOANGA CITY (MindaNews/20 March) – Zamboanga City Second District Rep. Lilia Nuño has vowed to work closely with Kidapawan Bishop Romulo Dela Cruz in promoting more interfaith dialogues as she welcomed his appointment as the new archbishop of this city.
“We are certain that he will contribute largely not only to our aspirations to foster more interfaith dialogues, but also to the overall promotion of peace and prosperity in our city,” Nuño said in a statement, citing that Dela Cruz is a known peace advocate.
Nuño said Dela Cruz can “definitely count on her support as the Representative of the second district on all of his peace initiatives and endeavors.”
Dela Cruz was scheduled to have a courtesy call with Nuño next week.
She said that Dela Cruz, who has served in conflict areas like Cotabato and Basilan, “must be well-equipped in dealing with peace issues and could guide the Zamboangueños in the quest for a just and lasting peace.”
“Now is the time for all Zamboanguenos, Christians and Muslims alike, to rally behind our leaders in pursuing that promise of peace and prosperity,” she said.
Earlier, Nuño urged local church, civic, and political leaders to pursue more interfaith programs to bring back the long-cherished Christian-Muslim harmony that has prevailed in this city for the past many years.
Nuño noted that the unfortunate Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) siege last September had “triggered a seeming return of animosity” between Christians and Muslims in the city.
“Let us engage in interfaith dialogue, especially among the younger generation, in order to bring back that long-cherished Christian-Muslim harmony that has prevailed in Zamboanga City for many years in the past,” Nuno said, stressing that the “only platform available” for the residents to address such animosity is through interreligious dialogue.
She said that there are many organizations working silently on the ground promoting peace and interfaith dialogue in this city.
She said they include the Peace Advocates Zamboanga (PAZ), Peacemakers’ Circle, Bishops-Ulama Conference and Silsilah Dialogue Movement. (MindaNews)