‘Yes to the Good News, no to fake news’
Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio G. Cardinal Tagle on Thursday has called for an end to fake news.
"Let us put a stop to fake news! We are not called and consecrated to bring fake news, only Good News especially through the integrity of our lives,” the cardinal said in a CBCP News post.
Tagle, who presided at the Chrism Mass at the Manila Cathedral, said like the ordained, Catholics also have the same mission to evangelize and share the Good News.
"Evangelization is our common goal," he said.
However, his Eminence stressed evangelization is different from manipulating the truth to deceive people.
"Manipulation thrives in the context of disrespect that's why fake news proliferates. I can deliberately deceive people because I have no covenant relationship with them. I dont care. I only want to manipulate the truth so that I tell what I want. That is not evangelization," said Tagle.
"Evangelization, communicating the truth of God's love especially to the poor, happens in a covenant relationship not in a context where some see people as objects to be manipulated for one's purposes," he added.
But the task of evangelization, Tagle said is not without a challenge as he emphasized that proclaiming the Gospel requires “attentiveness” to human condition, specifically to the poor and those who are suffering.
Words and deeds He also stressed the importance of integrity among the bearers of the Good News, adding that it is to be proclaimed not only through words but by deeds.
“That’s why many people don’t listen to the Good News because they don’t see it from the one talking,” said Tagle.
They are looking for people of integrity whose words will match their action.”
“The Good News is not just to be proclaimed through words, in most instances it is better proclaimed in life, in deeds. That’s integrity,” he added.
More than 400 priests of the Manila archdiocese renewed their commitment to priestly service during the Mass which was also attended by Papal Nuncio to the Philippines Archbishop Gabriele Caccia and former Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales.
During the Mass, Cardinal Tagle also blessed vessels of oils that will be used in parish churches throughout the archdiocese.