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Pope’s first speech: ‘Blessings’ on ‘this beloved nation’
In the first public statement of the five-day papal visit to the
Philippines, Pope Francis invoked “God’s abundant blessings” on the
predominantly Catholic country, “this beloved nation.” He also used his
10-minute speech at the presidential palace to call on Filipinos to
reject corruption and to support the effort to “bring peace to the
south.”
The transcript of his speech, published by Radio Vatican, follows:
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I thank you, Mr President, for your kind welcome and for your words
of greeting in the name of the authorities and people of the
Philippines, and the distinguished members of the Diplomatic Corps. I
am most grateful for your invitation to visit the Philippines. My visit
is above all pastoral. It comes as the Church in this country is
preparing to celebrate the fifth centenary of the first proclamation of
the Gospel of Jesus Christ on these shores. The Christian message has
had an immense influence on Filipino culture. It is my hope that this
important anniversary will point to its continuing fruitfulness and its
potential to inspire a society worthy of the goodness, dignity and
aspirations of the Filipino people.
In a particular way, this visit is meant to express my closeness to
our brothers and sisters who endured the suffering, loss and devastation
caused by Typhoon Yolanda. Together with many people throughout the
world, I have admired the heroic strength, faith and resilience
demonstrated by so many Filipinos in the face of this natural disaster,
and so many others. Those virtues, rooted not least in the hope and
solidarity instilled by Christian faith, gave rise to an outpouring of
goodness and generosity, especially on the part of so many of the
young. In that moment of national crisis, countless people came to the
aid of their neighbors in need. At great sacrifice, they gave of their
time and resources, creating networks of mutual help and working for the
common good.
This example of solidarity in the work of rebuilding teaches us an
important lesson. Like a family, every society draws on its deepest
resources in order to face new challenges. Today the Philippines,
together with many other countries in Asia, faces the challenge of
building on solid foundations a modern society – a society respectful of
authentic human values, protective of our God-given human dignity and
rights, and ready to confront new and complex political and ethical
questions. As many voices in your nation have pointed out, it is now,
more than ever, necessary that political leaders be outstanding for
honesty, integrity and commitment to the common good. In this way they
will help preserve the rich human and natural resources with which God
has blessed this country. Thus will they be able to marshall the moral
resources needed to face the demands of the present, and to pass on to
coming generations a society of authentic justice, solidarity and peace.
Essential to the attainment of these national goals is the moral
imperative of ensuring social justice and respect for human dignity.
The great biblical tradition enjoins on all peoples the duty to hear the
voice of the poor. It bids us break the bonds of injustice and
oppression which give rise to glaring, and indeed scandalous, social
inequalities.
Reforming the social structures which perpetuate poverty
and the exclusion of the poor first requires a conversion of mind and
heart. The Bishops of the Philippines have asked that this year be set
aside as the “Year of the Poor”. I hope that this prophetic summons
will challenge everyone, at all levels of society, to reject every form
of corruption which diverts resources from the poor, and to make
concerted efforts to ensure the inclusion of every man and woman and
child in the life of the community.
A fundamental role in the renewal of society is played, of course, by
the family and especially by young people. A highlight of my visit
will be my meetings with families and with young people here in Manila.
Families have an indispensable mission in society. It is in the family
that children are trained in sound values, high ideals and genuine
concern for others. But like all God’s gifts, the family can also be
disfigured and destroyed. It needs our support. We know how difficult
it is for our democracies today to preserve and defend such basic human
values as respect for the inviolable dignity of each human person,
respect for the rights of conscience and religious freedom, and respect
for the inalienable right to life, beginning with that of the unborn and
extending to that of the elderly and infirm. For this reason, families
and local communities must be encouraged and assisted in their efforts
to transmit to our young the values and the vision which can help bring
about a culture of integrity – one which honors goodness, truthfulness,
fidelity and solidarity as the firm foundation and the moral glue which
holds society together.
Mr President, distinguished authorities, dear friends:
As I begin my visit to this country, I cannot fail to mention the
Philippines’ important role in fostering understanding and cooperation
among the countries of Asia. I would also mention the oft-neglected yet
real contribution of Filipinos of the diaspora to the life and welfare
of the societies in which they live. It is precisely in the light of
the rich cultural and religious heritage of which your country is proud
that I leave you with a challenge and a word of prayerful
encouragement. May the deepest spiritual values of the Filipino people
continue to find expression in your efforts to provide your fellow
citizens with an integral human development. In this way, each person
will be able to fulfill his or her potential, and thus contribute wisely
and well to the future of this country. I am confident that the
praiseworthy efforts to promote dialogue and cooperation between the
followers of the different religions will prove fruitful in the pursuit
of this noble goal. In a particular way, I express my trust that the
progress made in bringing peace to the south of the country will result
in just solutions in accord with the nation’s founding principles and
respectful of the inalienable rights of all, including the indigenous
peoples and religious minorities.
Upon all of you, and upon all the men, women and children of this beloved nation, I cordially invoke God’s abundant blessings.
-------------------------------
Pope Francis homily: Combat deeply rooted inequality, injustice
MANILA, Philippines – Pope Francis has called on bishops,
priests and the religious to be an instrument in curbing “the deeply
rooted inequality and injustice, which mar the face of Filipino society,
plainly contradicting the teaching of Christ.”
In the first Mass he officiated in the Philippines, Pope Francis called on all Filipino bishops, priests and the religious to keep up with the legacy of love by the bishops, priests and religious of past generations by “building bridges, to pasture Christ’s flock and to prepare fresh paths for the Gospel in Asia at the dawn of a new age.”
The Mass was held at the historical Manila Cathedral with a history that spans four centuries. It was destroyed several times, but it has risen from the ruins through the passion of its bishops.
The Pope, acknowledging the country’s fifth centenary of its evangelization, said the former church leaders “labored not only to preach the Gospel and build up the Church in this country but also to forge a society inspired by the Gospel message of charity, forgiveness and solidarity in the service of the common good.”
“As bishops of the Philippines have rightly taught, the Church in the Philippines is called to acknowledge and combat the causes of the deeply rooted inequality and injustice which mar the face of Filipino society, plainly contradicting the teaching of Christ,” Pope Francis said in his Homily.
Pope Francis also called on all Christians to “live lives of honesty, integrity and concern for the common good.”
“As ambassadors for Christ, we, bishops, priests and religious ought to be the first to welcome his reconciling grace into our hearts. Saint Paul makes clear what this means. It means rejecting worldly perspectives and seeing all things anew in the light of Christ.”
“It means being the first to examine our consciences, to acknowledge our failings and sins, and to embrace the path of constant conversion,” he added.
The Pope stressed on the importance of doing away with materialism and stripping away the complacency only then “will we be able to identify with the least of our brothers and sisters.”
Pope Francis also urged young priests, the religious and seminarians to help the young people, especially the confused and the despondent.
“Be present to those who, living in the midst of a society burdened by poverty and corruption, are broken in spirit, tempted to give up, to leave school and to live on the streets. Proclaim the beauty and truth of the Christian message to a society which is tempted by confusing presentations of sexuality, marriage and the family,” he said.
In the first Mass he officiated in the Philippines, Pope Francis called on all Filipino bishops, priests and the religious to keep up with the legacy of love by the bishops, priests and religious of past generations by “building bridges, to pasture Christ’s flock and to prepare fresh paths for the Gospel in Asia at the dawn of a new age.”
The Mass was held at the historical Manila Cathedral with a history that spans four centuries. It was destroyed several times, but it has risen from the ruins through the passion of its bishops.
The Pope, acknowledging the country’s fifth centenary of its evangelization, said the former church leaders “labored not only to preach the Gospel and build up the Church in this country but also to forge a society inspired by the Gospel message of charity, forgiveness and solidarity in the service of the common good.”
“As bishops of the Philippines have rightly taught, the Church in the Philippines is called to acknowledge and combat the causes of the deeply rooted inequality and injustice which mar the face of Filipino society, plainly contradicting the teaching of Christ,” Pope Francis said in his Homily.
Pope Francis also called on all Christians to “live lives of honesty, integrity and concern for the common good.”
“As ambassadors for Christ, we, bishops, priests and religious ought to be the first to welcome his reconciling grace into our hearts. Saint Paul makes clear what this means. It means rejecting worldly perspectives and seeing all things anew in the light of Christ.”
“It means being the first to examine our consciences, to acknowledge our failings and sins, and to embrace the path of constant conversion,” he added.
The Pope stressed on the importance of doing away with materialism and stripping away the complacency only then “will we be able to identify with the least of our brothers and sisters.”
Pope Francis also urged young priests, the religious and seminarians to help the young people, especially the confused and the despondent.
“Be present to those who, living in the midst of a society burdened by poverty and corruption, are broken in spirit, tempted to give up, to leave school and to live on the streets. Proclaim the beauty and truth of the Christian message to a society which is tempted by confusing presentations of sexuality, marriage and the family,” he said.
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