The 60-year-old pastor is the 16th member of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP) in the town of Leyte to be murdered between the periods of 2004 to 2006, reported the Uniting Church Insight magazine.
The Abuyog town police chief, Senior Insp. Ismael Lantajo, told the local Philippines newspaper that Pastor Catambis, on his way to the town centre, had nine gunshots wounds in the back and made an appeal to anyone who witnessed the incident to come forward.
Rev. Henderson was appalled at the murder and said even though a Uniting Church report into the murders of church workers in the Philippines – Getting Away with Murder – was launched 18 months ago the situation still hadn't change.
Going further, Rev. Henderson said though the Philippines president was aware of the situation but there was a lack of progress in searching for the assailant.
"The President of the Philippines, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is aware of the situation, but there has been a lack of progress in bringing any of those responsible for the murders to justice."
The United Church of Christ in the Philippines and the Uniting Church in Australia established a relationship of solidarity and support in 1984.
"We would like to assure the UCCP of our continued solidarity and our prayers at this distressing time," Rev. Henderson said.