Australian nun Patricia Fox describes what she felt when she learned about the Bureau of Immigration order that cancelled her missionary visa and asked her to leave the Philippines within 30 days in a press briefing on Thursday, April 26, 2018. 蜜桃工作室 / Noy Morcoso
The Catholic Bishops鈥� Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) has urged the Bureau of Immigration (BI) to reconsider its order against Australian nun Sister Patricia Fox to leave the country聽in 30 days.
Davao Archbishop Romulo Valles, president of the CBCP, said the 71-year-old nun should be given a chance to explain herself again in the face of allegations of involvement in partisan activities.
鈥淲ith a hope for a reconsideration regarding the BI鈥檚 order after giving Sister Patricia a chance to explain herself again, in a spirit of dialogue, could she be given a chance to stay and continue serving our people?鈥� Valles asked in a statement released聽on Friday.
鈥淲e continue to pray for the Lord鈥檚 enlightenment for all those who are involved in this case, but in particular, we continue to pray for Sr. Patricia Fox 鈥� for her health and wellbeing,鈥� he said.
搁贰础顿:听
The BI issued an order on Monday, April 23, to forfeit Fox鈥檚 missionary visa and told her to leave the Philippines聽in 30 days.
In its order, the bureau alleged that Fox was found 鈥渢o have engaged in activities that are not allowed under the terms and conditions of her visa.鈥�
鈥淲ithout entering into the merits of both parties in the case, this is for the proper authorities to decide. But this we say: We believe in the sincerity and dedication of Sr. Patricia to serve our people. We believe further that she is moved to serve our people by the love of Christ 鈥� 鈥淭he love of Christ urges us,鈥� Valles said. /lb