‘Bullies, abusers of power are cowards, insecure people’
Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio G. Cardinal Tagle warned against bullying, anxiety, and abuse of power which, he said,are common among cowards and insecure individuals.
Quoting Saint John the Baptist, His Eminence reminded the faithful not to bully anyone.
“Do not use your power to be rude. Do not use your power to pressure or coerce others. Do not use your arms to make false accusations,” Tagle stressed in his homily at the Manila Cathedral in Intramuros, Manila on the first day of the Misa de gallo last Sunday.
“Do not belittle others. Even if you are in a position, your position does not give you the right to destroy others. You will not be happy that way. The truth is, bullies who use power to humiliate others and put them down are actually cowards and insecure individuals,” he added.
Thousands of devout Filipino Roman Catholics attended the first day of the nineday Misa de gallo or simbang gabi masses across the country before the break of dawn on December 16.
Anticipated masses are also being held at around 7 p.m. from Dec. 15 to Dec. 23 in many churches and parishes nationwide.
The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) said the first day of the dawn masses was generally peaceful.
Since the first of the nine-day novena, which coincided with the Third Sunday of Advent or Gaudete Sunday, which is a Sunday of joy, the cardinal emphasized the characteristics of a truly happy person.
“A person who is peaceful is happy, and will never be arrogant because he or she is joyful in the Lord. A person who is joyful in the Lord will boast of the Lord,” Tagle stressed.
“Remove all worries. Do not lose hope. Remove all anxiety because there is Someone who will save you. It is Jesus who is about to come. He will be the one to free you from all your fears and worries and replace these with true joy,” the Church leader said.