A LIFE OF COMPASSION AND INTEGRITY:
A TRIBUTE TO CLEMENT JOHN

We are deeply saddened by and mourn the passing away of a great ecumenist, a fellow Pilgrim for peace and justice and a very dear friend of the National Council of Churches in the Philippines (NCCP) and the Filipino people.

Clement John has crossed the Great Divide to his Creator, welcomed with out-stretched arms. In that crossing we see a profile of fortitude, courage and faithful service to God and the ecumenical community through the Christian Conference of Asia and the World Council of Churches.

Clement John has consistently upheld the integrity and self-determination of National Councils. In one of his last addresses to ecumenical leaders in Asia he lamented the way whereby development and funding agencies imposed their own upon the ecumenical vision not only in Asia but in the wider ecumenical community.

Clement John has lived out the meaning of ecumenism which is not only about Christian unity but also of compassion and justice. The Filipino people are among the beneficiaries of his advocacy of compassion and justice. NCCP has been greatly upheld by his prayers, strengthened by his fellowship and inspired by his example.

As Programme Executive for Asia and the Pacific Human Rights and Religious Freedom, International Affairs, Peace and Human Security of WCC, he helped spearhead the convening of the International Ecumenical Conference on Terrorism in a globalized World (IECTGW) when the Philippines was declared the second front of the US War on Terror. He also helped spearhead the
WCC-led Pastoral Ecumenical Delegation Visit (PEDV) of various church leaders to the Philippines in solidarity with the Philippine Churches and the Filipino people facing the challenges and brunt of extra-judicial killings with impunity. This pastoral visit helped expose to the international community the true and worsening human rights situation in the Philippines.

Finally, Clement John was deeply involved in supporting the various peace initiatives of the NCCP in promoting and advocating for the resumption of the peace talks between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) towards the attainment of just and lasting peace.

May Almighty God help us find strength for faithful service following Clement John's example.

National Council of Churches in the Philippines

Sangguniang Pambansa ng Mga Simbahan sa Pilipinas