“Communicating hope and trust in our time.”

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Sr. Fox appeals leave order before DOJ

Sister Patricia Fox. (CBCPNews)

MANILA, May 25, 2018–Australian missionary Sr. Patricia Fox asked the Department of Justice to overturn the expulsion order issued against her by the Immigration bureau.

Accompanied by her lawyer, nuns, priests and other supporters, Fox petitioned the DOJ to reinstate her missionary visa and be allowed to stay in the country.

The 71-year-old nun, who spent the last 27 years in the Philippines, said she wants to remain in the country and continue her ministry for the poor Filipinos.

“My wish is to be able to continue my mission work together with the poor and I hope this will be the result of my petition,” Fox told reporters.

The BI on April 23 revoked the nun’s missionary visa and gave her only until May 25 to leave the country or else she will be deported.

The bureau clarified that Fox can still visit the country, provided she apply for a tourist visa.

But Fox’s counsel lawyer Kathy Panguban the petition puts the BI order on hold.

“We filed an appeal today. Base on the Omnibus Rules of Immigration, the execution of the Bureau of Immigration is stayed,” said Panguban of the National Union of People’s Lawyers.

“We also call on the DOJ to recognize our own laws,” she added.

The BI yesterday made final the order for the nun leave the country for allegedly engaging in political activities, violating the terms in her missionary visa.

Sr. Mary John Mananzan of the Movement Against Tyranny said that to deprive Fox of a review is a violation of her right right to due process.

“It is injustice to order Sr. Pat’s deportation with no clear outline of what she has done against the interests of the Philippines and the Filipino people,” Mananzan said. (Roy Lagarde / CBCPNews)

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