Fr. Rudy Romano and the Christian Prophetic Mission

Last July 11, 1985, the Redemptorist and progressive priest Fr. Rudy Romano was reportedly abducted by supposed state elements. This atrocity was committed at a time when the Philippines was placed under the dictatorial rule of then president Ferdinand Marcos, and where killings, abductions, illegal arrests, and tortures against dissidents were done with impunity. The demonic fangs of a beastly state never exempted church people whose mission were to simply preach the Good News of salvation, especially to the poor.

Since then, friends and colleagues of Fr. Rudy have been annually remembering his day of disappearance; a practice not so uncommon in the Philippines as even after the so-called restoration of democracy in post-Martial Law years, the number of desaparecidos continue to escalate. Not only this, the same corrupt and elitist political system, repressive and tyrannical rule, and backward economic system in the Martial Law years plague contemporary society at an even worsening degree. The same socio-economic evils infest the Filipino people, especially the poor, Fr. Rudy’s beloved. Contrary to promises and claims, nothing has changed and so the struggle for genuine development and democracy continues.

As Fr. Rudy became a living prophet during his time, denouncing structures of injustice and sin, resisting the open dictatorship of Ferdinand Marcos, and forging a genuine commitment to the marginalized like the workers, the farmers, the urban poor, and the fisherfolks in order to advance their social, economic, and spiritual liberation, he became the subject of contempt and ire of the powers that be. Fr. Rudy became no different to the prophets of the Old Testament as he took to his heart the inspiring words of the Prophet Isaiah, “learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed.” This at the cost of his own precious life.

Today, Fr. Rudy is not simply remembered; he remains a living inspiration for believers to speak God’s word of truth. Many of the faithful today courageously live to this call even if it means sacrifices and death. Indeed, God’s word of truth has never been pleasant to the ears of the evildoers, as it disturbs the comforts of the powerful and challenges the rule of the wicked. A number of clergy and lay have stood up and names like Fr. Tito Paez, Fr. Mark Ventura, Fr. Richmond Nilo, Pastor Lovelito Quinones, and Domingo Edo, to name a few, serve as reminders that prophets shall not cower even at the face of the most monstrous and tyrannical rule. The prophetic mission shall not disappear with the disappeared nor die with the dead, but shall be witnessed by courageous Christians working for justice, righteousness, and peace.

Prof. Regletto Aldrich D. Imbong

Secretary General

Promotion of Church People’s Response Cebu