FAKE NEWS thrives in the context of manipulation and disrespect.
This was the message of Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle during the Chrism Mass at the Manila Cathedral on Maundy Thursday, where he urged the clergy to combat fake news by preaching the Gospel.
“Let us put a stop to fake news. We are not called and consecrated to bring fake news [but] only good news. Especially through the integrity of our lives,” Tagle said in his homily.
True communication happens in the context of covenant, while good news is communicated through evangelization influenced by a covenant relationship and not “to be manipulated for one’s purposes,” he said.
“Evangelization is a fact of daily life. We always communicate good news. We cannot contain good news. It begs to be shared and good news begs for hearers,” Tagle said.
With this year declared by the Church as the Year of the Clergy and Consecrated People, Tagle reminded priests to listen to God who speaks through the poor.
“We need to silently listen to them. [In] listening to their stories we are reduced to further silence, […] then in silence you absorb. You listen to God evangelizing you though the poor. And then you can speak,” he said.
Tagle stressed before Manila clergymen that evangelization requires the integrity in one’s actions.
“The good news is not just to be proclaimed through words. In most instances it is better proclaimed in life; in deeds,” he said.
The Chrism Mass, held every Maundy Thursday, is a liturgical celebration in which the bishop blesses the oils to be used for the sacraments for the year, and where priests renew their vows.
