CBCP urges BI to reconsider leave order vs Sister Patricia Fox

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. INQUIRER.net / Noy Morcoso

The Catholic Bishops’ 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 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.

“With a hope for a reconsideration regarding the BI’s 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?” Valles asked in a statement released on Friday.

“We continue to pray for the Lord’s enlightenment for all those who are involved in this case, but in particular, we continue to pray for Sr. Patricia Fox – for her health and wellbeing,” he said.

READ: Sister Fox given final act: Leave in 30 days

The BI issued an order on Monday, April 23, to forfeit Fox’s missionary visa and told her to leave the Philippines in 30 days.

In its order, the bureau alleged that Fox was found “to have engaged in activities that are not allowed under the terms and conditions of her visa.”

“Without 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 … “The love of Christ urges us,” Valles said. /lb