This is the charitable organization’s aim ahead of Easter. The national director invites people to listen to the poor, the oppressed and safeguard the environment. Initiatives include projects for agrarian reform, support for displaced fishermen and farmers, the fight against forced evictions.

Manila (AsiaNews / CBCP) - In this season of Lent, the Filipino Catholic Church has taken up Pope Francis's call and is inviting people to fight against the "globalization of indifference" in a concrete way by supporting the humanitarian initiatives of the national Caritas (CBCP / Nassa).

Msgr. Rolando J. Tria Tirona, national director of Caritas Philippines (the National Secretariat for Social Action - Justice and Peace, Nassa) and Archbishop of Caceres, said that "listening to the poor and uniting in the fight against the destruction of the environment" can help people contribute to a better social development. For the prelate, the period of preparation for Easter should be used by the Church, the People of God, to "reflect on the plight of the poor and oppressed".

Msgr. Tirona states that the Church enjoys many privileges, but at the same time has the task of responding to the directives of the pope. "Faith and charity" warns the prelate "must go hand in hand, if we want to overcome this indifference." He gives the example of the family, which is united by a "bond of solidarity" and is "a community of love."

In his message for Lent, the Pope has repeatedly reminded readers that God is not indifferent to the world, so much so He sacrificed His son for the salvation of humanity.

Jesus, the prelate Filipino recalls, is "the gate between God and man, between heaven and earth, opens once for all." He recalls the words of Francis, when he says that the world tends to withdraw into itself and is not open to Christ. "The hand, which is the Church, must never be surprised if it is rejected, crushed and wounded ".

During his recent apostolic trip to the Philippines (the only predominantly Catholic nation of Asia), the Pope repeatedly recalled the need to help the poor, children and those affected by natural disasters that have hit the country recently.

The initiatives promoted by the Philippine Charity include projects for land reform, environmental protection and support to fishermen and farmers displaced by natural disasters, such as typhoon Yolanda. In addition there are activities for the victims of forced evictions, as occurred on the island Sicogon Iloilo.

This May CBCP / Nassa will hold a general meeting in Rome, with the goal - traced by Pope Francis - to create a "Church for the poor."

 

• PHILIPPINES
• Caritas
• Lent
• Pope
• Francis
• globalization
• of
• indifference