By Leslie Ann Aquino
Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle of Manila has asked everyone to be like the angels by spreading the Good News and not fake news.
Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle (Ali Vicoy / MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)
"Every day we should remind people of the closeness of God. Be angels. Communicate that," he said during an Advent Recollection in Quezon City, Sunday.
"Unfortunately in our age today communication is not about good news...you are an angel if you bear the Good News of salvation...definitely somebody who spreads fake news is not an angel. I don't know what name to call them," said Tagle.
He cited the time when he received a text message telling him that then Pope John Paul II already died.
"I happen to be in Rome for a meeting. And then somebody texted me from the Philippines saying Pope John Paul II died. I said, its probably not true since there is no such news in Rome," recalled the cardinal.
"I told the person not to pass it on, but the person said he already did. I told him, 'You just killed him and you just spread the news of his death,'" Tagle added.
He said many people also experience this.
"Many people are made to die every day when they become the object of fake news and testimonies. Although physically they are alive, you kill his peace of mind by spreading fake news," Tagle said.
His Eminence then asked those present to make a choice.
"Today, the choice is before us. Will you be an angel not only this Christmas but for the rest of your life and be a bearer of the life giving presence of God in Jesus Christ or will we be bearers of fake news that brings about death?" said Tagle.
The cardinal expressed hope that those present will help stop the spread of fake news.
"We have more than 1,000 people here who will stop and not collaborate with false witnessing and fake news. We will contribute to the growth of people in knowledge and not just superficial passing of information," said Tagle.
He added: “The Good News is not information. The Good News is Jesus the Word of God made flesh. To communicate Him requires being Christ-like. Then we become angels.”
Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle (Ali Vicoy / MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)
"Every day we should remind people of the closeness of God. Be angels. Communicate that," he said during an Advent Recollection in Quezon City, Sunday.
"Unfortunately in our age today communication is not about good news...you are an angel if you bear the Good News of salvation...definitely somebody who spreads fake news is not an angel. I don't know what name to call them," said Tagle.
He cited the time when he received a text message telling him that then Pope John Paul II already died.
"I happen to be in Rome for a meeting. And then somebody texted me from the Philippines saying Pope John Paul II died. I said, its probably not true since there is no such news in Rome," recalled the cardinal.
"I told the person not to pass it on, but the person said he already did. I told him, 'You just killed him and you just spread the news of his death,'" Tagle added.
He said many people also experience this.
"Many people are made to die every day when they become the object of fake news and testimonies. Although physically they are alive, you kill his peace of mind by spreading fake news," Tagle said.
His Eminence then asked those present to make a choice.
"Today, the choice is before us. Will you be an angel not only this Christmas but for the rest of your life and be a bearer of the life giving presence of God in Jesus Christ or will we be bearers of fake news that brings about death?" said Tagle.
The cardinal expressed hope that those present will help stop the spread of fake news.
"We have more than 1,000 people here who will stop and not collaborate with false witnessing and fake news. We will contribute to the growth of people in knowledge and not just superficial passing of information," said Tagle.
He added: “The Good News is not information. The Good News is Jesus the Word of God made flesh. To communicate Him requires being Christ-like. Then we become angels.”