A POLITICAL DIALOGUE IN THE
PHILIPPINES
Recently, I wrote a letter to
The Philippine STAR Columnist
Carmen Navarro-Pedrosa in response to a
piece she wrote about the role of the Catholic Church in what she
considered some seminal events that influenced Philippine history. I
was flattered to find that Ms. Pedrosa, only a few days later,
published excerpts from my letter as part of her own column. This in
turn inspired Father Thomas Martin, an American Catholic priest based
in the Philippines, to respond to my by then very well publicized
remarks. I of course felt obligated to respond to Father Martin. Below
are the links to the texts that form what I believe is an interesting
dialogue.
Just a little background.
Joseph Rizal, who Ms. Pedrosa mentions in her column, was a physician,
author and educator who wrote extensively on the suffering of the
Philippine people under hundreds of years of Spanish occupation. In his
mid-30s he was executed (1898) for his writings, which Spain considered
treasonous. (Hey, it could happen to an American today!)
Ms.
Pedrosa's Column
My
letter
Father
Martin's email to me
My
response to Father Martin
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