ASIA/PHILIPPINES - Mission of harmony and service to life: Cardinal Tagle speaks to the police

Monday, 9 December 2019 human rights evangelization armed forces drugs family violence politics

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Manila (Agenzia Fides) - The police have a mission that means "working for harmony" and serving the life of every citizen: with these words Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, Archbishop of Manila, addressed the officials of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), during the Sunday celebration of the Holy Mass on December 8th. As Agenzia Fides learns, over a thousand police officers participated in a special Eucharistic Celebration in Manila, together with their interim leader, General Debold Sinas. The Cardinal, newly appointed by Pope Francis as Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, expressed hope that the police institution continues its efforts "for moral and spiritual conversion" among its ranks. "I hope that you will become instruments of harmony in our society that is often threatened by disharmony" the Cardinal said, stating that "such a mission can be achieved through just action and humble service".
In an audience with NCRPO officials before the Mass, the Cardinal discussed with them the security preparations for early next year’s Black Nazarene.
The Philippine police and other law enforcement agencies are at the forefront regarding the "war on drugs" launched by President Rodrigo Duterte. In three years, at least 6700 people have been killed, according to the police, all those who resisted being arrested. Human rights groups and other independent agencies claim that over 35,000 people have been killed in drug-related cases. Human rights organizations accuse the police of "systematic cover-ups and summary executions".
In another Eucharistic celebration, held yesterday, 8 December, in the Cathedral of Manila, the focus was placed on the theme of the family: mass was attended by the faithful who organized, on the occasion of the feast of the Immaculate Conception, a "March for Mary and the family". In the homily, Archbishop Tagle emphasized that "the family is the first school of social, moral and spiritual virtues that every society needs". "Just like the Holy Family of Mary, Joseph and Jesus - he added - I hope that every Filipino family is a school of life and harmony". (SD) (Agenzia Fides, 9/12/2019))