Australian nun Sister Patricia Fox was surprised and saddened upon hearing that the Bureau of Immigration (BI) has revoked her missionary visa and ordered her to leave the Philippines within 30 days.
Fox, in a statement, said that her charitable activities seemed to have “brought me into conflict with the Philippine government.”
The BI revoked Fox’s visa due to her alleged participation in partisan politics, a violation of the terms and conditions of her visa.
The missionary who had been in the Philippines since 1990, helping farmers and workers, said she “couldn’t help but to get involved” in projects that “uplift the livelihood of the farmers” and “advocate with them for their rights to land, livelihood, peace, justice and security.”
She said that these issues are “all universal human rights which the church sees as integral to her mission.”
Wishing not to leave the Philippines, Fox said, “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 adds, “I may lose my right to be in the Philippines but I can never lose the learnings and beautiful memories.”
(DAILY NEWS ROUND UP FOR 04/ 26 /18)