Tagle requests Mass-goers to bring donations for flood victims

Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle: Rediscover the beauty of faith. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines–Bring extra cash and a few canned goods when you hear Mass this Sunday.

Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle on Friday announced that a second collection will be made at all Masses starting Saturday and on Sunday in all the parishes, shrines and chapels covered by the Manila archdiocese to raise more funds for the flood victims across Luzon.

“In the spirit of Christian solidarity and charity for our brothers and sisters affected by this week’s monsoon rains and floods, may I request that a second collection be made at all Masses [this weekend],” Tagle said in a circular.

The circular was addressed to all parish priests, rectors, chaplains of parishes, shrines and chapels in the Archdiocese of Manila.

Tagle also instructed the Manila clergy to immediately remit all collections to the treasury and accounting department of Arzobispado de Manila in Intramuros or to Caritas Manila, the lead social service agency of the Catholic Church.

Caritas executive director Fr. Anton Pascual also urged the faithful to bring relief items, such as noodles and canned goods, when they go to church on Sunday to heed Tagle’s call to gather more donations for the thousands of flood victims in six provinces in Luzon.

“The good cardinal released a memo to raise more funds in cash and in kind to help the habagat (southwest monsoon) victims. [The relief items] will be turned over to Caritas Manila for proper distribution in Mega Manila and Central Luzon,” Pascual told reporters.

As of Thursday, Caritas Manila has released a total P6 million in relief assistance for the families affected by the monsoon rains enhanced by Tropical Storm “Maring.”

Pascual reported the Church’s social arm had distributed 21,034 packages of relief goods, of which 14,930 packs were distributed to families in Manila; about 1,000 in Malolos, Bulacan province; 500 in Imus, Cavite province; 1,000 in Pasig City; 600 in Taguig City; 1,000 in Antipolo City and the rest in Lingayen, Pangasinan province and other institutions.