The archbishop of Manila greets Francis after Mass in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception: "This cathedral has been raised to the ground many times but refuses to vanish, It boldly rises from the ruins. You bring fire not to destroy but to purify. You bring an earthquake not to shatter, but to awaken, you bring weapons to assure, to encourage". The full text of the Cardinal’s address.

Manila (AsiaNews) - Pope Francis in the Philippines "You bring fire not to destroy but to purify. You bring an earthquake not to shatter, but to awaken, you bring weapons to assure, to encourage": This is according to the archbishop of Manila, Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, in his greeting after the Mass celebrated by the Pope in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. The church was destroyed seven times by disasters and wars, but has always been rebuilt and is "a symbol of the Filipino people, full of music and faith". Below is the full text of the Cardinal's address.

Most Holy Father,

Before you this morning are representatives of the bishops priests, religious men and women and lay faithful of the Philippines and of Asia.  In their name I welcome you to our country, to the city of Manila and to the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception.  We are filled with joy for you are with us, especially in the first Eucharistic celebration of your pastoral visit.

The Manila Cathedral was the first cathedral in the Philippines.  It can be considered a symbol of the Filippino people. Fire destroyed the first cathedral.  The succeeding five cathedrals were either partially or totally damaged by earthquakes, the most  massive of which struck in 1863 burying in rubble the members of the cathedral chapter, the choir and lay faithful. The seventh cathedral was mercilessly bombed alone with other edifices in the Walled City of Manila (Intramuros) during the battle of liberation in 1945,  We are gathered today in the eight cathedral building that we closed three years ago for repairs.  Now it warmly welcomes you.  This cathedral has been razed to the ground many times, but it refuses to vanish. It boldly rises from the ruins - just like the Filippino people. Yes, Holy Father, we bishops, priests and religious men and women have seen and lived the suffering and determination of our people. "We are afflicted in every way possible, but we are not crushed". (2 Corintians 4:8).

 What is the secret to the resilience of the Filippinos? Fr. Horacio de la Costa, SJ, historian, writer, priest, religious and nationalist provided an insight. He said that the Filippino has two treasures music and faith.  Our melodies make our spirits soar above the tragedies of life. Our faith makes us stand up again and again after deadly fires, earthquakes, typhoons and wars.  And now, as many of our poor people are just beginning to rise from recent natural and human-made calamities, you, Holy Father came to us.  You bring fire, not to destroy but to purify.  You bring an earthquake not to shatter but to awaken.  You bring weapons not to kill but to assure. Indeed You bring an earthquake not to shatter, but to awaken, you bring weapons to assure, to encourage. Indeed you are Peter, the Rock, upon which Jesus built his Church. You are Peter who comes to build and strengthen his brothers and sisters in faith.  We welcome you, successor of Peter, to this blessed land of untiring hope, of infinite music and of joyful faith. With your visit, we know Jesus will renew and rebuild His Church in the Philippines.  Mabuhay!.

 

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