Tagle tells Christians to ‘proclaim good news,’ slams ‘bearers of hate speech’
Credit to Author: The Manila Times| Date: Thu, 18 Apr 2019 05:34:38 +0000
CARDINAL Luis Antonio Tagle, archbishop of Manila, slammed bullies and “bearers of hate speech and fake news” and urged Christians instead to “proclaim [the] good news,” as he led the Chrism Mass at the Manila Cathedral on Maundy Thursday.
“We, today, all the consecrated, all the baptized bearing the Holy Spirit will say ‘I will not deliver fake news, hate speech,’” Tagle said in his homily.
“Go, live your consecration, proclaim good news,” Tagle told Christians as he advised them to use this gift, which they received through the Holy Spirit, and to use it “judiciously by serving God and his people, especially the poor.”
“Nakikiusap ako wag sayangin holy spirit na dumating sa atin nang tayo ay mabinyagan. Lahat tayo tinalaga (I am asking you, do not waste the holy spirit you received when you got baptized.) We are all called to serve God,” he said.
Chrism Mass is traditionally celebrated on Maundy Thursday to signify the unity between the bishops and the priests.
Tagle also lamented how many young people have to live with bullying and bad news.
“They are not able to go to school because they lack the resources. If ever they graduated, they cannot find jobs,” Tagle said.
There are young individuals who would not go to school lest they they be bullied. Some attempt to commit suicide because they feel like no one loves them, the Cardinal said.
He added that these youth have to live with the unrealistic expectations of their parents.
So many young people only hear criticisms and their incapacity to meet certain expectations, which are not realistic, Tagle said.
He reiterated that 2019 was the year of the youth, and Pope Francis last year called on the whole Church to “walk together with and for the sake of the youth, humanity and God.”
After the homily, Tagle led the renewal of commitment of the clergy to priestly service and blessed the Chrism oil, which will be used in administering the sacraments of baptism, confirmation and holy order throughout the year.
He then reminded all the clergy who renewed their commitment that they were called to serve and awaken the priestly consecration of all the baptized.
“That is our ministry. Not to take over and say we are the only priests. We belong to the common consecration, the baptized,” he said.
“Let’s come together as a people set apart, as a priestly people. Like Jesus, let us accept the gift and responsibility of being anointed by the Holy Spirit and reading and fulfilling Isaiah’s words, bring glad tidings to the poor especially the youth,” he said.
After the mass, the faithful also expressed their gratitude to priests for their service to the Manila archdiocese through cheers, banners and confetti outside the Cathedral. CATHERINE A. MODESTO
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