In line with the Catholic Church’s celebration of the Year of Mercy, Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle has extended a message of hope and inspiration to prisoners at the maximum security compound of the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa.
Echoing biblical passages, Tagle said Jesus Christ came to the world not for the holy but for the forgiveness of sins.
“Ang sagot ni Hesus, naparito ako upang tawagin ang makasalanan, hindi ang mga nagbabanal-banalan,” Tagle was quoted as saying by Radyo Veritas.
(Jesus’ answer, I am here to call on the sinful, not the holiest of the holy.)
The cardinal told the prisoners that their families and friends may leave them, but God will never abandon them.
Tagle said the Lord was ready to forgive them and welcome them into a life of mission despite the mistakes they had committed in the past.
“Minsan mawawalan ka ng kaibigan, minsan pati kamag-anak. Pero ito ang mabuting balita—mayroong Diyos na handing lumapit sa atin, magbigay ng pag-asa at kahit alam niya na meron tayong pagkukulang, handa siyang magbigay ng pagpapagaling,” Tagle said.
“May offer siya na mercy, habag, kagalingan, nagbibigay ng pag-asa,” he added.
(Sometimes, you lose a friend, sometimes, even a relative. But here’s the good news–there is a God who is ready to come to us, give us hope and even if he knows of our shortcomings, he is ready to provide healing.
He offers us mercy, compassion [and] healing and gives us hope.)
Tagle also prayed for the prisoner’s health and good relations in the facility, and wished them more patience. CDG
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