Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle (Photo: Roy Lagarde)
MANILA, Feb. 15, 2016— The head of the Manila’s Catholic Church has asked the faithful to break down the “isolation” and “loneliness” that further burden those who are physically ill.
Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle urged Filipinos to pray for the sick in need of constant care and help and make them feel loved.
“When you are sick, especially when it’s contagious, you will be isolated and alone. And being maybe that is one of the hardest feelings a sick person could have— loneliness,” Tagle said.
“Now, what the Church wants is to break down the isolation of the sick through our health ministry,” he said.
Loving presence
Tagle made the statement in his homily during a Mass to celebrate World Day of the Sick at the Manila Cathedral, Feb 11.
Aside from medical care, the cardinal also called on health workers and volunteers to prove the sick with “assurance of loving and caring presence.”
“And that is the healing that God also wants to give, breaking the isolation of the sick and those with the disability,” said the prelate.
Our Lady of Lourdes
Hundreds of elderly and sick people gathered at the cathedral for the yearly celebration of the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes.
The cardinal also administered the sacrament of the anointing of the sick using holy oil.
The anointing is reserved for people whose health is seriously threatened by sickness or old age.
Established by Saint John Paul II in 1992, World Day of the Sick is a special time of prayer for those who suffer from illness and for their caregivers. (Roy Lagarde / CBCPNews)
