Ash Wednesday (CBCPNews Photo)
MANILA, Feb. 18, 2015–As he celebrated Mass on Ash Wednesday, the start of the Lenten season, Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle echoed Pope Francis’ call to counter-act the culture of indifference.
In his homily, the cardinal highlighted the importance to deal with the problem of individualism or numbness to the needs of others which he described as a phenomenon that is “spreading” in the world today.
According to him, all the plague of society and injustices that Filipinos are facing right now all have links to the culture of indifference.
“Pope Francis said it’s scary because it’s becoming a culture. When you said culture, it’s already becoming spontaneous and second nature,” Tagle said during the Mass at the chapel of the Chancery Office in Intramuros, Manila.
The Pope, in his Lenten message, has also called on the faithful to confront indifference and urged them to look after one another especially to those who are in need.
Cardinal Tagle reminded Catholics that Lent is a time for renewal, with special attention towards the suffering of others and helping them.
Aside from the usual acts of prayer and fasting during Lent, he encouraged the faithful to do acts of charity.
He said one way to help is by the supporting archdiocese’s Pondo ng Pinoy and the Fast2Feed of Hapag-Asa, a program aimed at feeding hungry and malnourished children.
“And at this time, let us pray and make concrete action towards real brotherhood and genuine peace,” said Tagle.
He added: “As long as we lack of concern for others and if indifference reigns (over our society), there will no peace in our country.” (Roy Lagarde/CBCPNews)