BREAKING Cardinal Tagle Warns Leaders Amid Nationwide Protests Against Corruption in the Philippines with Support of Bishops and Religious
Amid massive nationwide rallies against corruption, beginning on Sept. 12, a Catholic bishop warned that the flood control scandal is only “a symptom of a much deeper sickness.” Even Cardinal Pablo David, Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines' president, Bishop of Kalookan joined the protestors (See video)
CBCP released that Bishop Julito Cortes of Dumaguete said corruption persists even in local infrastructure projects, from road construction to small-scale municipal works.
Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, celebrated Mass in the Philippines, and also reminded public officials that they are not owners of the nation’s wealth but stewards who must exercise honesty and accountability in using public resources.
“This scandal [involving flood control projects] is only a symptom of a much deeper sickness,” Cortes said.
On Sunday, the bishop led a short prayer rally outside his residence following the 6 a.m. Mass. The event was held simultaneously in parishes across Negros Oriental and Siquijor, where the Oratio Imperata against corruption was recited.
In his message, Cortes described corruption as “a grave sin” that corrodes not only institutions but the nation’s very soul.
“Corruption betrays the poor, exploits the vulnerable, and undermines the common good,” Cortes said.
He cited the billions allocated for flood-mitigation projects while millions continue to suffer from deadly floods and typhoons.
Cortes called for a “moral awakening,” stressing that the fight against corruption is not solely the responsibility of government and law enforcement but a shared duty of all citizens.
“The burden—and the hope—lies with all of us, including the Church. This call, therefore, begins with us!” Cortes added.
Cortes urged Catholics to live out this commitment through the “synodal way,” which includes:
1) Rejecting vote-buying and vote-selling, which he called an affront to democracy and a root cause of systemic corruption.
2) Supporting political candidates who show competence, integrity, and a genuine commitment to public service.
3) Advocating for good governance by refusing and reporting corruption-related transactions.
The bishop also emphasized that change must be achieved by nonviolent means, upholding both human dignity and care for creation.
“Let us rebuild our nation upon the foundations of truth, justice, love, and peace,” Cortes said.
CARDINAL TAGLE COMMENTS:
In a Sunday homily at Our Lady of the Assumption Parish in Manila’s Malate district, Cardinal Tagle urged Filipinos to pray for leaders and for all citizens to live as trustworthy stewards of God’s blessings.
“To our leaders: You are not the owners of the nation’s wealth. You are stewards,” Tagle said. “And God, who is the true owner, will ask you one day: How did you use what was entrusted to you?”
The former Manila archbishop stressed that the mark of a steward is being “trustworthy,” not acting like a “thief.”
He also echoed the bishops’ call for an “examination of conscience” not only for those in authority but for all citizens, noting that the culture itself is in need of transformation.
“The invitation is for everyone to reflect — of course, especially our leaders, but not only them. All of us,” said Tagle, who is also the pro-prefect of the Vatican’s Dicastery for Evangelization.
The cardinal underscored that prayers should lead people to seek “treasures that will not be destroyed or lost,” urging both leaders and ordinary citizens to dedicate their talents and wisdom to the common good.
“We pray for our leaders, we pray for our people, so that our lives may be peaceful,” he said. “Let us turn to God, the true owner of our lives.”
In Cebu, papal nuncio Archbishop Charles Brown urged the faithful to confront corruption and make caring for the poor a priority.
Speaking during Mass on the eve of the Danao City fiesta, he described corruption as a “plague” and expressed hope that nationwide protests would mark the beginning of a cultural shift toward transparency and fairness.
“We hope that today will be a moment in which [the] nation begins to change, in which we set a new course away from corruption, towards more transparency and more fairness,” Brown said in his homily at Sto. Tomas de Villanueva Parish Church.
The Vatican envoy also reminded the faithful that caring for the poor is a Christian obligation with eternal consequences. He used a striking image of heaven’s gates, where those who helped the poor during their lifetime will be welcomed.
“When we come to the end of our lives, the poor people that we have helped will help us… they will help us enter into the Kingdom of heaven,” he said.
Sources: Combined Releases from the CBCP Bishops of the Philippines - https://cbcpnews.net/cbcpnews/dumaguete-bishop-says-flood-control-scandal-a-symptom-of-deeper-sickness/2) Supporting political candidates who show competence, integrity, and a genuine commitment to public service.
3) Advocating for good governance by refusing and reporting corruption-related transactions.
The bishop also emphasized that change must be achieved by nonviolent means, upholding both human dignity and care for creation.
“Let us rebuild our nation upon the foundations of truth, justice, love, and peace,” Cortes said.
CARDINAL TAGLE COMMENTS:
In a Sunday homily at Our Lady of the Assumption Parish in Manila’s Malate district, Cardinal Tagle urged Filipinos to pray for leaders and for all citizens to live as trustworthy stewards of God’s blessings.
“To our leaders: You are not the owners of the nation’s wealth. You are stewards,” Tagle said. “And God, who is the true owner, will ask you one day: How did you use what was entrusted to you?”
The former Manila archbishop stressed that the mark of a steward is being “trustworthy,” not acting like a “thief.”
He also echoed the bishops’ call for an “examination of conscience” not only for those in authority but for all citizens, noting that the culture itself is in need of transformation.
“The invitation is for everyone to reflect — of course, especially our leaders, but not only them. All of us,” said Tagle, who is also the pro-prefect of the Vatican’s Dicastery for Evangelization.
The cardinal underscored that prayers should lead people to seek “treasures that will not be destroyed or lost,” urging both leaders and ordinary citizens to dedicate their talents and wisdom to the common good.
“We pray for our leaders, we pray for our people, so that our lives may be peaceful,” he said. “Let us turn to God, the true owner of our lives.”
In Cebu, papal nuncio Archbishop Charles Brown urged the faithful to confront corruption and make caring for the poor a priority.
Speaking during Mass on the eve of the Danao City fiesta, he described corruption as a “plague” and expressed hope that nationwide protests would mark the beginning of a cultural shift toward transparency and fairness.
“We hope that today will be a moment in which [the] nation begins to change, in which we set a new course away from corruption, towards more transparency and more fairness,” Brown said in his homily at Sto. Tomas de Villanueva Parish Church.
The Vatican envoy also reminded the faithful that caring for the poor is a Christian obligation with eternal consequences. He used a striking image of heaven’s gates, where those who helped the poor during their lifetime will be welcomed.
“When we come to the end of our lives, the poor people that we have helped will help us… they will help us enter into the Kingdom of heaven,” he said.
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