THE Diocese of Bacolod is expected to pull out its ministry from St. John’s Institute (SJI) or Hua Ming by the end of the month.
In a statement that will be read Wednesday, May 10 during the 51st anniversary of its parish church, SJI said that after a series of negotiations to resolve the controversy, the diocese and SJI have agreed to pursue a peaceful disengagement of relationship that will end by May 31.
With concurrence from both parties, a transition team has been created to ensure a smooth and peaceful transfer of responsibility over the church, from the diocese and back to the school, before the opening of the school year, it said.
“Efforts were made to arrive at an acceptable solution but unfortunately both parties cannot agree on several issues. Thus, it is with deep sadness that we humbly submit to the decision of the Diocese to pull out its ministry from the school and the Queen of Peace Church and peacefully turnover the church back to the original owners, the school,” the statement read.
The school assured the public that the decision will not hinder SJI from continuing its mission and staying true to its commitment to propagate the Catholic faith among the members of the Filipino-Chinese community, particularly among its students and stakeholders, the statement said.
The school also assured the public that SJI, with its school chapel, will be a lay catholic school and will continue to remain as the center of Catholic education for the Filipino-Chinese youth and Filipino-Chinese community of Bacolod City, it added. (MPE)