塔格雷枢机表示：信仰与音乐是菲律宾教会不断从灾难中重生的秘诀
马尼拉（亚洲新闻）-教宗方济各来到菲律宾"带来的不是摧毁而是净化之火；带来的地震不是灾难而是使人觉醒；带来的武器不是杀人而是使人得到安全"。今天上午，菲律宾首都马尼拉总主教区总主教塔格雷枢机在圣母无染原罪总主教座堂举行的弥撒圣祭结束后代表全体向教宗致意时发表了上述讲话。圣母无染原罪主教座堂因天灾、战争七次被毁，但每一次又都重新屹立起来。它是"充满了丰富音乐与信仰的菲律宾人民的象征"。以下为塔格雷枢机讲话全文英文版。
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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