MANILA, Philippines (Updated 4:24) — Even an impending deportation would not stop 71-year-old Australian nun Patricia Fox from doing what she loves the most—fighting for the rights of the poor and marginalized.
“I will continue my missionary work wherever I am as it is who I am,” Fox, an advocate of land reform and peasant rights, told Philstar.com in a text message.
Fox, mother superior of the Our Lady of Sion congregation in the Philippines, has been working in the Philippines for 27 years, dedicating her life to help the members of oppressed sectors.
“Hopefully the issues here of the indigenous peoples’ right to ancestral lands, farmers’ right to the land they till, urban poor’s right to decent housing and the workers’ right to a just wage and security of tenure will continue to be central to the mission of the Church to bring about the reign of God here and now,” she said.
The nun, who expressed surprise and sadness over the Bureau of Immigration’s order, added: “I would miss not being part of this call in the Philippines.”
The Immigration on Wednesday forfeited the missionary visa of Fox and ordered her to leave the country for allegedly engaging in partisan political activities.
The bureau, however, said that Fox’s deportation case is still pending before its special prosecutor as she has yet to file her counter-affidavit.
READ: Immigration orders Australian nun Patricia Fox to leave Philippines
Reconsider the decision
Her legal counsel, Jobert Pahilga, said that they would first file a motion for reconsideration before the Immigration to contest the order. But should it deny their appeal, they would take the case to the Court of Appeals or the Supreme Court, if needed.
“If her missionary visa will be canceled and she will enter here as a tourist, then she can stay here for only several weeks and she can’t do anymore her missionary work which she loves to perform in the Philippines,” Pahilga said in an interview on ANC’s “Headstart.”
In a separate statement, Fox remains hopeful that she would be given a chance to explain her mission as a religious sister so the decision can be considered.
“As a Christian believing that our mission is to bring God’s Kingdom to the here and now, I couldn’t help but 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 lands to land, livelihood, peace, justice and security—all universal human rights which the Church sees as integral to her mission,” she said.
But whatever happens, the nun who has been dedicating a quarter of her life in a third-world nation is “forever grateful” to the Filipinos who have supported her.
“I may lose my right to be in the Philippines but I can never lose the learnings and beautiful memories,” Fox said.
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