MANILA Archbishop Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle said harmony in society could only be achieved when people are reconciled with God, during the Mass for the March for Mary and the Filipino Family on Dec. 8 at the Manila Cathedral.
“We want the advent gift of harmony [so] let us restore justice. [J]ustice requires repentance. Harmony can only be achieved when we admit our faults,” Tagle said in his homily, just hours before he was named to a top Vatican post.
Tagle said pride destroys harmony, the lack of which also stems from prejudice, biases and discrimination among people.
“Lahat tayo ay napapagod sa mga hidwaan — mga hidwaan sa pamilya, sa barangay, at sa iba’t ibang sektor ng lipunan, pati sa social media [kaya] parang lahat na yata [ng pangyayari] ay may disharmony,” Tagle said.
Tagle called on Filipinos to be Christlike in forgiving and accepting others.
“Impatience towards other people is pride and it destroys harmony. Kung ako nga pinagtitiyagaan ng Diyos dapat matuto rin akong pagtiyagaan ang aking kapuwa. Dapat ako ang unang uunawa sa mga nanghihina kasi mahina rin ako,” Tagle said.
The same day, Pope Francis appointed Tagle as the new prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, becoming the the second Asian prelate to lead the congregation.
A march from Malate Church to Manila Cathedral preceded the Eucharistic celebration.
The march, organized by Pro-Life Philippines, aims to celebrate the life of Mary as an inspiration to the Filipino family. It also marked the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception. J.P.L. Enriquez
