Cardinal Tagle: Face the New Year with peace, forgiveness

Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle: Peace and forgiveness. AP FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—As Church and State continue to squabble over the reproductive health (RH) law, Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle called out for “peace and forgiveness” in his New Year message.

Tagle said the coming of a New Year would be an opportunity for Filipinos to reawaken their desire for a better future, new beginnings and “for a world that could afford us the achievement of our dreams.”

“I share the dream of all Filipinos for peace and harmony in all aspects of our lives. We know, however, that peace can only be promoted by peacemakers, by people whose minds, consciences, attitudes and styles of life are devoid of self-interest,” he said.

“Peacemakers seek the common good. Peacemakers spread honesty, respect and friendship. I repeat the invitation of Pope Benedict XVI, ‘to say no to revenge, to recognize injustices, to accept apologies without looking for them and, finally, to forgive,’” he added.

The cardinal urged the faithful to pray for peace and to “let us live as true peacemakers.”

“For us Christians, peace is primarily God’s gift. God created everything in love and willed that diverse creatures live in harmony with one another. When sin disrupted the concord enjoyed by human beings with God, with each other and with creation, God relentlessly pursued His design for universal peace, culminating in the birth of Jesus, the Prince of Peace,” Tagle said.

“He is our peace, He who … broke down the dividing wall of enmity through His flesh (Eph. 2:14). Through the Holy Spirit, we are constantly re-created in Christ’s peace,” he said.

“We thank God for opening for us the door to peace. But we have the responsibility to enter that door. God’s is the gift, ours is the mission of building peace,” Tagle added.