I share with you this information taken from "News.VA -- The Vatican Today." The article gives the comments of Cardinal-designate Luis Antonio Tagle, the Archbiship of Manila in the Philippines.
In my opinion, many statements of religious leaders today are conveyed in a very triumphal fashion. I find this unfortunate.
I resonate with Cardinal-desginate Tagle's words. I find them refreshing and hopeful!
(Vatican Radio) -- Cardinal-designate Luis Antonio Tagle of Manila in the Philippines is one of just six Church leaders named by Pope Benedict to receive the red hat in a consistory to take place on November 24 [2012].
Archibishop Tagle is currently here in Rome taking part in the Synod of Bishops on the new evangelization which comes to a conclusion this weekend.
Reacting to the announcement of the consistory on Wednesday, the new Cardinal said he was grateful to the Pope for his trust and confidence in the Church of the Philippines, spread throughout the world with the many migrant workers who take their Christian faith with them.
He also spoke of his message to the Synod fathers calling for a humbler, quieter Church that is not afraid to admit its mistakes but is able to share more deeply the sufferings of the people today:
"The Church of Asia is often a minority Church, like John the Baptist crying in the wilderness ... even in the Philippines, if the Church is a majority, I realize that the sufferings of the people and the difficult questions they ask are an invitation to be first in solidarity with them, not to pretend that we have all the solutions ... they can resonate and see the concrete face of God in a Church that can be silent with them [and] as confused as they are ... it becomes a home for them ... I believe that the Church should contribute in the public square, but we in Asia are very particular about the mode ... so you may be saying the right things but people will not listen if the manner by which you communicate reminds them of a triumphalistic, know-it-all institution ... I know that in some parts of Asia the relative silence [and] calmness of the Church is interpreted as timidity, but I say 'no' -- it makes the Church more credible."
