Tagle Urges Catholics to Forgive Drug Lords, Criminals This Lenten Season

Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Tagle on his Palm Sunday mass at the Manila Cathedral on March 25 urged Filipino Catholics to forgive all those who sinned against them, including drug lords and criminals. He also urged the faithful to repent, and know more about the sacrifices of Jesus Christ, who according to the Bible was sent by God the Father, and died for our sins.

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“Ngayong Semana Santa, tayo sana ang matutong magpatawad sa mga nagkasala sa atin, kahit gaano pa kasama ang ginawa niya sa atin. Kasabay nito, maging sensero tayo sa pag hingi ng tawad sa mga taong nagawan natin ng kasalanan. Alalahanin natin ang mga sakripisyong dinanas ni Hesus para matubos tayo sa kasalanan.” Cardinal Tagle said.

(This Lenten season, let’s learn to forgive those who trespass against us, no matter how worse the things they did to us. At the same time, let us be sincere when asking for forgiveness from those we have sinned. Let us remember the sacrifices of Jesus Christ so that our sins will be forgiven.)

“Alam natin na ang tao ay marupok at makasalanan. Maraming krimen ang nangyayari ngayon sa ating bayan, lalo na dahil sa illegal na droga. Pero sino ba sa atin ang walang kasalanan? Huwag natin ilagay ang batas sa ating mga kamay, at hayaan natin ang Diyos na lamang ang humusga sa kanila.” The 60-year old Manila Archbishop added.

(We know that people are weak and sinners. There are so many crimes today, especially because of illegal drugs. But who among us don’t commit sins? Let us not take the law into our hands, and let God judge them.)

With Philippines being the only predominantly Catholic country in Asia, Lenten season is one of the most important religious events that Filipinos observe. It starts on Ash Wednesday, forty days before Easter Sunday. On this day, Filipino Catholics flock the church to receive the sign of the cross on their foreheads using ashes.



Every Palm Sunday, parishioners reenact the triumphant entry of Jesus Christ in Jerusalem by waving their palaspas, which the priest blesses. In addition, devotees practice the Visita Iglesia tradition by visiting seven churches either on Maundy Thursday or Good Friday and recite the 14 Stations of the Cross.

Contributed by Renato Pasayao