MANILA, Jan. 20, 2013— The problems of the country boil down to one thing – the adults’ misdeeds and not of the children, said the head of Manila’s Roman Catholic Church.
From violence to poverty, Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle is blaming the adults’ behavior which has been a bad role model to the younger generation.
“All the darkness, oppression and conflict most of the time is caused not by children but by adults who were not following God, but themselves. They put faith in themselves instead of God,” Tagle said.
“What do you want, money? Power? …When you look at yourself as God, it will bring darkness,” he added in Filipino.
The cardinal made the statement in his homily as he officiated Mass during Sunday’s Feast of Santo Niño (Child Jesus) in Tondo, Manila.
Catholics marked this month the yearly feast of the Child Jesus with processions, colorful parades, dazzling costumes, street dancing and other festive activities in different parts of the country.
In Cebu City, millions of people witnessed today the celebration of the famous Sinulog Festival in honor of Sto. Niño.
Also in Visayas, crowds too gathered for the “Ati-Atihan” in Aklan province, “Dinagyang” in Iloilo, “Biniray” in Romblon, and “Binirayan and Handugan” in Antique.
In Mindanao, it’s the “Pachada Senor” in Cagayan de Oro City, “Kahimunan” in Butuan City and “Zambulawan” in Pagadian City.
Similar festivities were also held in different provinces of Northern Luzon.
Tagle reminded the Catholic faithful that the meaningful way to honor Sto. Niño is with small ordinary acts of faith.
The people, he also said, should follow the example of the Child Jesus of being obedient to God’s will. (CBCPNews)
