By Paulo Loreto Lim

Diocese of Bacolod Bishop Patricio Buzon penned a letter to the Catholic faithful condemning the shuttering of the gate surrounding the Queen of Peace Church by the St. John’s Institute (SJI) Board of Trustees (BOT), calling it an “injustice.”
“Why inconvenience the people for an altercation involving individuals?” he asked “The policy has caused great aggravation to everyone particularly children, the old, the sick and those with physical disability.”
Earlier this week, a tarpaulin displaying the schedule for Lenten masses at the church sparked a conflict between parish rector, Fr. Ernie Larida, and BOT-SJI President Cesar Villanueva, resulting in the gates to the school compound being closed.
“We had to close the gates to the school compound after an unfortunate incident between our administrative and security staff and those who are running the church,” Villanueva explained.
He later clarified, while the main gate is closed, the pedestrian gate remained open for churchgoers.
Buzon characterized the situation as, “It feels like the parish is slowly being choked to death.”
“I strongly protested against such a decision as unfair and unreasonable,” the bishop stated. “I appealed to the Board of Trustees for reconsideration, but to no avail.”
“I am aware of the deep hurt and anger caused by the injustices that you believe are being done to us,” he added. “Perhaps this pain and humiliation we are presently experiencing will help us celebrate the Holy Week with deeper meaning and in closer communion with the crucified Lord.”
Buzon said the incident must be dealt with urgently and invited the BOT to sit down with the diocese to work on a memorandum of agreement on April 17./WDJ