UCA News
Contribute

Cardinal Tagle issues plea for poor at close of Year of Mercy

Caritas Internationalis chief calls for pilgrimage of compassion to continue onward
Cardinal Tagle issues plea for poor at close of Year of Mercy

Cardinal Gaudencio Rosales, retired prelate of Manila, leads the rite of the closing of the Jubilee Door of the Manila Cathedral on Nov. 13. (Photo by Angie de Silva)

Published: November 15, 2016 06:05 AM GMT
Updated: November 15, 2016 06:09 AM GMT

Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle of Manila had urged Catholics to continue working for the poor at the closing celebration of the Jubilee Year of Mercy on Nov. 13.

"The needs of a poor person is our door to the heart of Jesus," said the prelate in a message read during the celebration in Manila.

Cardinal Tagle, who is currently in Rome, also asked for prayers for victims of the recent earthquake in Italy and the refugees and prisoners he was meeting there.

The Manila prelate was elected the first Asian president of Caritas Internationalis, the world's biggest network of Catholic charities, last year.

"Let us continue our pilgrimage of mercy and compassion by encountering the hungry, thirsty, and the homeless," said Cardinal Tagle.

He urged Catholics to "keep our hearts open to the poor, to those we have offended, and to those who have hurt us." 

During the opening of the Year of Mercy last year, Cardinal Tagle called for an end to corruption and abuse of women, children, and the oppressed.

"Stop the rampant corruption. Stop the abuse of women and children. Spread mercy, stop the endless abuse of the weak," he said.

The Catholic Church's "Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy" will officially end on Nov. 20, the Solemnity of the Christ the King, with the closing of the Holy Door in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican.

Cardinal Gaudencio Rosales, retired prelate of Manila, led the rite of the closing of the Jubilee Door of Manila Cathedral on Nov. 13.

During the Holy Year of Mercy, Pope Francis put emphasis on the value of forgiveness, healing and reconciliation.

Help UCA News to be independent
Dear reader,
Lent is the season during which catechumens make their final preparations to be welcomed into the Church.
Each year during Lent, UCA News presents the stories of people who will join the Church in proclaiming that Jesus Christ is their Lord. The stories of how women and men who will be baptized came to believe in Christ are inspirations for all of us as we prepare to celebrate the Church's chief feast.
Help us with your donations to bring such stories of faith that make a difference in the Church and society.
A small contribution of US$5 will support us continue our mission…
William J. Grimm
Publisher
UCA News
Asian Bishops
Latest News
UCA News Catholic Dioceses in Asia
UCA News Catholic Dioceses in Asia
UCA News Catholic Dioceses in Asia