Prelate urges Filipinos in US to remain ‘calm, compassionate’ amid rising hate crimes

A Catholic prelate has called on Filipinos in the United States to remain calm and compassionate amid the rising number of attacks against Asian-Americans there.

“We kindly remind our migrants and immigrants to continue to be a ‘brother’s keeper’ to anyone whom they meet along the road of life,” CBCP News quoted Balanga Bishop Ruperto Santos in his pastoral statement.

He issued the pastoral statement on behalf of the Stella Maris-Philippines, the umbrella organization of the ministry of the Apostleship of the Sea, to raise awareness about the hate crimes.

The church official made the statement after a 61-year-old Filipino-American was slashed in the face with a box cutter in the New York subway.

Santos warned against hate, which according to him, can lead to “dissension, division and disharmony”.

“It only fans the violence in the society,” he said.

“We pray for peace and harmony especially for our migrants and immigrants impacted with the rising hate crimes in the affected places,” Santos added.

“We offer our Holy Masses that those who have tainted their hearts with hatred will be open to the intervention of divine grace, have a change of heart, and be "Good Samaritan" to one another,” he said.

The Philippine embassy in the US also advised Filipinos there to exercise “utmost caution” amid recent anti-Asian attacks.

It also called on US authorities “to further ensure the protection of persons of Asian descent, including Filipinos.”