Marawi, Philippines, Jul 10, 2017 / 15:30 pm
As violent conflict unleashed by Islamic militants in the Filipino city of Marawi continues to rage, the nation's bishops have stressed that the problem is not a religious one, and have urged all faiths to work together for peace.
"We all cry from our hearts: War in Marawi, never again! War in Marawi, no more!" the Philippine bishops said in a July 10 statement.
They called for a return to peace and normalcy in Marawi as soon as possible, and questioned whether "the continued state of Martial Law, much more its extension, will bring this about."
Furthermore, the bishops stressed their belief that the conflict, which has been raging since May, "is not religious."