Pope’s rep praises Filipinos’ strength amid calamities

Charles Maung Cardinal Bo. PHOTO by SAMMY NAVAJA

CEBU CITY, Philippines — The Philippines may be the disaster capital of the world but the resiliency of the Filipinos is unshakable.

Such was the message of Papal legate Charles Maung Cardinal Bo during his homily on Sunday at the opening of the 51st International Eucharistic Congress (IEC) here.

Cardinal Bo of Yangon in Myanmar was sent by Pope Francis as the Papal Legate in this year’s global fellowship of the Catholic faithful.

“The Philippines has the inevitable title of being the disaster capital of the world. But time and again, you (Filipinos) have proven your resilience and your faith rises above all challenges,” Cardinal Bo said in a powerful homily before hundreds of thousands of Catholic devotees at the Plaza Independencia.

Close to 350, 000 devotees attended the celebration while at least 1,500 priests, 200 bishops and 10 cardinals concelebrated the Mass.

Despite the series of calamities that devastated the Philippines, the papal legate recognized how Filipinos “have shared the bread of your hospitality and the bread of your knowledge (to the world).”

He said the Philippines is a “great nation” and a light of Catholicism in Asia.

“In some parts of the world, Catholicism means Filipino presence,” he said.

“From Hong Kong, London, Cairo to Rome, to Dubai, ang Filipino ay nasa lupa (on the land), nasa hangin (on the air), nasa tubig (on waters). Nasa lahat ng sulok ang dugong Pilipino (The Filipino blood is everywhere),” the papal legate added.

He also cited the Filipinos hospitality in welcoming priests and laity in the Philippines.

“For the last five decades, the only place that welcomes our priests and laity with open arms and cared for them is you: the Church in the Philippines. You have given us the best of your hospitality, the best of your knowledge and the best of your love,” he said.