Manila – Philippine Catholic Bishops on Friday appealed to Immigration Officials to review the order expelling an Australian Missionary who has been helping poor communities in the country.
Patricia Fox, a 71-year-old nun with the Congregation of Our Lady of Sion, was directed to leave the Philippines after the Bureau of Immigration revoked her missionary visa for allegedly participating in protests.
Fox has been helping poor communities in Philippine for more than two decades.
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) said it was saddened by the decision and urged the bureau to review the case and allow Fox to stay.
The directive for Fox to leave the country in 30 days was dated April 23, or one week after she was detained for 24 hours on orders by President Rodrigo Duterte to investigate her activities.
“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,’’ said Archbishop Romulo Valles, CBCP president.
The bureau said Fox was “found to have engaged in activities that are not allowed under the terms and conditions of her visa,’’ particularly, participating in protests.
