Tagle tells NBP cons: You may always have faith, hope

Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle. AP FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—They may be drug lords and hardened criminals, but they can always renew their faith in the Lord and find hope, Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle said of the inmates of the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) where he celebrated a Mass on Saturday.

“Cardinal Tagle has been holding Mass at the NBP maximum penitentiary yearly,” according to Caritas Manila’s executive director, Fr. Anton Pascual, who added that Tagle’s visit had nothing to do with the current issues at the prison.

Tagle’s visit to the NBP was also part of Caritas Manila’s restorative justice program for prisoners and correctional communities, Pascual said.

Caritas restorative justice program for prisoners offers Pa-ReLEASe-Me, which stands for Paralegal Assistance, Religious Studies (Bible study, Catechesis), Livelihood training, Education, Advocacy, Services for social action, and Medical Assistance.

In his homily, Tagle said there was still hope for the NBP prisoners who could always renew their faith in the Lord.

One inmate handed Tagle an artwork featuring an image of Pope Francis and said he wanted it given to the Pontiff, who is visiting the Philippines on Jan. 15-19.

“The cardinal will try to hand it to the Pope,” Pascual said. Tina G. Santos