Cardinal Tagle calls for end to rampant corruption
Catholics should commit to charitable works during Year of Mercy.
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"Stop the rampant corruption. Stop the abuse of women and children. Spread mercy, stop the endless abuse of the weak," Cardinal Tagle said in Tagalog.
"Let us build a society on the foundation of the merciful Jesus, and let one of us be a stone of a construction of just, truthful, loving society of mercy," he said.
The Philippine bishops issued a pastoral letter in June urging voters to reject "notoriously corrupt" politicians running in 2016 national elections.
In the pastoral letter, church officials sought to remind the electorate that voting is not merely a political right, but "a moral obligation."
After opening the Manila cathedral’s "Holy Door," Cardinal Tagle urged hundreds of Catholics attending the Mass "to make a decision in faith" and go out to serve the poor.
"Through the church we go out to the world," he said, adding that the door to the church is also the "door of mission."
"This year we have a mission," said the cardinal. "The mission is to spread mercy… a mission to build up the world on the foundation to build God’s love."
The cardinal urged the people not only to enter through the Holy Doors of cathedrals and basilicas but also to go through "doors of charity" of the homeless, the poor, the imprisoned, and the sick.
After entering the church, Cardinal Tagle kneeled in prayer before proceeding to the altar for Mass.
Persons with disabilities and representatives of poor communities accompanied the cardinal during the ceremonial opening of the Holy Door.
Instead of breaking open a seal as was done by Cardinal Jaime Sin when he opened the Holy Door during the Great Jubilee of 2000, Cardinal Tagle and his companions pushed the door open.
Pope Francis declared an "Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy" beginning Dec. 8 on the feast of the Immaculate Conception and concluding Nov. 20 on the feast of Christ the King.
Source: UCAN
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