Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Manila (Agenzia Fides) - The Philippine Church invites "to celebrate 2015 as the Year of the poor". Christ, with his suffering "becomes oppressed, despised, helpless, miserable", note the Bishops in a message released on November 30 by His Exc. Mgr. Socrates B. Villegas, Archbishop of Lingayen Dagupan and President of the Episcopal Conference, sent Agenzia Fides.
The message is addressed to all the poor: "On his cross, He is with you, Christ is God with you. He took your nakedness, vulnerability, hunger, disease, shame", inviting to "cry out to Him, looking into the eyes of the crucified Lord". What message comes from the cross? ask the Bishops. A message of resurrection: "I have come to give life in abundance. Blessed are you who are poor, Blessed are you who are hungry, Blessed are you when people hate you". "In the Year of the poor, we say to you all: come to Jesus, and you will find rest" urging us to pray and ask Christ for help in every circumstance.
The Year of the poor is also a call for the rich, so they do not live "a selfish life" but oriented to the common good and solidarity. Even the rich are invited to "fix our eyes on Jesus" and to listen to his voice: "Whatever you do to one of these you did it to me".
"In the Philippines - the Bishops write - this means to urgently stop corruption". "It is urgent to stop the misuse of people’s funds, stop the wanton destruction of environment. Fight poverty, redistribute wealth equitably, build an economy that meets the criteria of justice, provide education that respects all our people, as human beings and children of God". The last appeal is addressed to pastors and priests, called to leave the comforts in which they live and embrace a simple life, close to the poor. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 01/12/2014)
