VICERRA, Leandro Dan A.

TREDTRI EJ
11516372 June 29, 2018

The Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan recently released a statement with regards to the

recent comment of President Rodrigo Duterte about the credibility of the Catholic God. The
message of the Archdiocese was addressed to the youth and children of the Archdiocese of
Lingayen-Dagupan. They are saying that the actions of President Duterte is caused by his scarred
past and it is emanating from him. We should pray for him so that he may heal and give love but
at the same time we must also serve him and rebuke his errors. The Archdiocese gave questions
and answers from the YouCat or Youth Catechism of the Catholic Church in order to enlighten
the children and youth who are misled by the Presidents attack and taunts of Christian beliefs.
The first question was why God created us. God created us out of love. God is mercy and
love and the Archbishop said it was something we should never forget.
The next question was what religion really is. Religion is man’s natural longing for God.
God has placed in our hearts a certain kind of restlessness that can only be cured if we rest in
God. Creationism was also mentioned. it is naively interpreting the biblical data literally. The
creation account is not a scientific model to explain how the world began. When one says God
created the world, it means he willed it to be created. God loves us and we all are necessary.
Therefore, God does not want us to suffer and die. Saint John Chrysostom mentioned that we
have lost paradise but have received heaven; the gain is greater than the loss.
It was also mentioned in the text how Pope Benedict XI explained that human beings
were born with a drop of poisonous thinking of “not trusting God”. Human beings look at God as
a “rival” who curtails our freedom. Human beings harbor a “suspicion against God”. Human
beings trust deceit rather than the truth. Because of this tendency, Jesus came to lift us out of that
emptiness and death. The Archbishop also defended if the Church is a sinful institution. Viewed
from the outside, the church is only a historical institution perhaps with historical achievements
but also faults. In its history, the Church had made mistakes and even crimes. Pope Benedict
XVI also said that “when God disappears, men and women do not become greater. They lose
their dignity and splendor and eventually end up abused and used”.
Blasphemy is a terrible offense. Specially to curse using God’s name. Places, things,
names, and people who have been touched by God and “holy”. Sensitivity to what is holy is
called “reverence”. Lastly, we should obey the state because if it should establish laws and
procedures that are racist, sexist, or destructive of human life, Christian is obliged in conscience
to refuse to obey, to refrain from participation and offer resistance.
A letter from Cardinal Tagle was written addressed to all the clergy of the Archdiocese of
Manila. Cardinal Tagle reminds us to be at peace and be calm. We should not let things disturb
our inner peace. It is also stated that we should respect non-Catholics and their beliefs especially
if those beliefs differ from ours. It mentioned that questioning the faith is not new to Christian
history. Cardinal Tagle invites bible scholars, catechists, etc. to revisit these concerns and present
responses appropriate to our contemporary sensibilities. Although questions about the faith are
extremely important, we are reminded not to forget other concerns in our time like prices of
goods, job security, vulnerable OFWs, and many more and we should come together to try ans
solve these mentioned problems is society. Lastly some biblical texts might help restore a faith
perspective when people get disturbed by questions about God. Cardinal Tagle ended the letter
by leaving a verse from the bible. “My thoughts are not your thoughts. Nor are your ways, my
ways. Says the lord.” (Isaiah 55:8)
References

Villegas, Socrates (2018). God is Love, Archdiocese of Lingayen – Dagupan. Retrieved from:
https://www.facebook.com/rcaldph/posts/207694796534651

Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle (2018). Circular No. 2018-18, The Roman Catholic Archbishop of
Manila