Sister Patricia Fox: I am still hoping for a chance to explain

Following the directive of the Bureau of Immigration (BI) ordering her to leave the country, Australian nun Patricia Fox said she still hopes for an opportunity to explain the importance of her mission in the Philippines. (Photo by Roy Lagarde/CBCP News)

Following the directive of the Bureau of Immigration (BI) ordering her to leave the country, Australian nun Patricia Fox said she still hopes for an opportunity to explain the importance of her mission in the Philippines.

Fox, who was accused of participating in “partisan political activities, said that it was only through the media that she heard the BI’s decision as her legal counsel has yet to receive a copy of the order.

“I woke this morning to hear there had been an order from the Bureau of Immigration about my case.  I was surprised as I had thought the process was that I would have 10 days to put in a counter affidavit to answer the charges,” Fox said in a statement on Wednesday, April 25.

“I am still hoping for a chance to explain how I see my mission as a religious sister and maybe the decision can be reconsidered,” she added.

According to the missionary nun, advocating for the universal human rights brought her into conflict with the Philippine government.

“As a Christian, believing that our mission is to bring God’s Kingdom to the here and now, I couldn’t help but to get involved both with projects, such as training in organic farming, to uplift the livelihood of the farmers, but also to advocate with them for their rights to land, livelihood, peace, justice and security, all universal human rights which the church sees as integral to her mission,” Fox explained.

Looking back at the nearly three decades helping peasants and indigenous peoples (IPs) in the Philippines, the missionary nun recalled that it took her a while to become “a bit inculturated as things are done differently.”

However, Fox said that the people living in rural areas where she spent most of her time “were so patient and laughing with me at my mistakes.”

“It was through them that I came to learn some of the basic issues which caused their poverty—lack of their own lands, control of markets, dependence on pesticides,” she stressed.

As she lived in the cities, the Australian nun said she “came to know the situation of the workers and their lack of job security which is now happening in other countries as well.”

Fox, 71, said that whatever happens, “I will be forever grateful to all those Filipinos that I call my friends and for all those from both church and sectors who have supported me through this time.”

“I may lose my right to be in the Philippines, but I can never lose the learnings and beautiful memories,” she continued.

Fox was ordered by the BI to exit the country within 30 days after receiving the order. The bureau forfeited her missionary visa and deactivated her alien certificate of registration.

[READ: BI forfeits Australian nun visa; orders her to leave PH in 30 days]

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. said that Fox lost the privilege of holding a missionary visa “because of her activities which are in violation of the terms and conditions of her visa.”

Despite this, BI spokesperson Antonette Mangrobang clarified that Fox is still allowed to enter and leave the country as a tourist.