The Rural Missionaries of the Philippines: Prophetic Mission in the Midst of Persecution

Abstract

The Rural Missionaries of the Philippines (RMP), one of the Mission Partners of the Conference of Major Religious Superiors in the Philippines (CMRSP), was founded on August 15, 1969, in the context of brewing social upheaval and agrarian unrest under the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr. For more than fifty years, RMP remained steadfast in its mandate to serve Christ through the rural poor. As a consequence of their unwavering commitment to their prophetic mission, RMP often encountered various forms of harassments and threats from state forces and those in power. With President Rodrigo Duterte’s ascent into power, attacks against progressive groups and individuals, activists, human rights defenders, and church-based NGOs significantly increased. This article aims to shed light on the nature of RMP’s missionary activity in the midst of intensified state repression.