Catholic prelates call to expel frat men in hazing

Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (Photo courtesy of CBCP)

MANILA— An official of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines-Episcopal Commission on Mission (CBCP-ECM) said students who are members of fraternities that are engaged in hazing should be expelled from school.

According to CBCP-ECC Chairman Bishop Arturo Bastes, hazing initiation defeats the real purpose of fraternity which is brotherhood.

“It is a shame that hazing is still being done by fraternity of students in a Catholic University. It is absolutely senseless, cruel and inhuman and unchristian! Students who engage in this nonsensical practice must be expelled from school,” the Sorsogon prelate said in an interview over Church-run Radio Veritas.

He also condemned the continued conduct of such activities despite the reported number of hazing deaths ofin the country.

At the same time, Bishop Ruperto Santos, chairman of the CBCP-Episcopal Commission on Migrants and Itinerant People (ECMI), expressed grief over the death of law student Horatio Tomas Castillo III, who was allegedly killed during initiation rites by members of Aegis Juris Fraternity.

“It is sad and shameful that a life was wasted just because (of) hazing. Anything and anyone that promotes violence to one another and inflicts physical harms should be avoided, condemned and prosecuted,” the Balanga prelate said.

“Hazing is just pain and agony which leads to disability or death. Justice must be served,” he added.

Earlier, CBCP Episcopal Commission on Catechesis and Catholic Education Chairman Bishop Roberto Mallari noted that love for fellow brothers should exist, just like what Jesus did to his disciples and not inflicting injuries to fraternities’ new recruits.

Despite the enactment of the Anti-Hazing Law in 1995, a total of 35 hazing deaths were recorded in the country.

Castillo was laid to rest on Wednesday afternoon in Paranaque City.