General News and Announcements

Thursday, September 25, 2008

Pastor Berlin Guerrero, who has been in custody in the Philippines, was released on Wednesday, September 10, 2008. The United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP) thanks their partners in mission, including The United Church of Canada, who have supported the campaign for Guerrero's release. Here is an excerpt from UCCP's message:

We are happy to inform you that Pastor Berlin Guerrero was released…after the Court of Appeals Justice granted a temporary restraining order barring the Cavite Regional Court Branch 19 from proceeding with the hearings on the murder case and directed the government lawyers to submit more evidence to justify the trial of Pastor Berlin Guerrero.

We thank you for your support in various ways and for your continuous prayers for the dismissal of the case.

The decision brought an eruption of applause, after which many, both inside the courtroom and keeping vigil outside of the Court of Appeals, cried with tears of happiness. "Today is a story that we must tell again and again. This is a moment of great inspiration to be remembered," shared misty-eyed Father Rex Reyes, General Secretary of the National Council of Churches in the Philippines. Inside the courtroom Pastor Berlin Guerrero tightly embraced his wife, Mylene, and his three teenage children. The parents and siblings of Pastor Berlin also huddled close to celebrate the moment.