Tagle to drug surrenderers: Don’t waste ‘blessing’ of hope

Drug surrenders attend the “Mass of Hope” at the Manila Cathedral, Jan. 8, 2017. (CBCPNews)

MANILA — Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle of Manila called on drug surrenders “not to waste” God’s blessing of hope.

Celebrating the “Mass of Hope” on the first Sunday of Epiphany at the Manila Cathedral, he urged them to look to Christ, for only He can bring lasting fulfilment.

“God wanted to accept us all. I hope that we will not waste the blessing He is giving us,” Cardinal Tagle said in his homily.

“God said that we all commit mistake but He has always been there will never get fed up. Don’t be afraid. Come to Him. Don’t be indifferent,” he said.

Dozens of reformed drug addicts helped by the Fazenda da Esperanca (Farms of Hope), a Catholic drug rehabilitation farm, and other surrenders who are still undergoing rehabilitation attended the liturgical event.

After recently setting up an extension program in the Diocese of Masbate, the Fazenda da Esperanca also signed a partnership with the Manila archdiocese.

The collaboration aims to further strengthen the archdiocese’s ongoing program to provide drug surrenders psycho-spiritual rehabilitation.

Launched in October last year, the “Sanlakbay Para sa Pagbabagong Buhay” program is the archdiocese’s response to the thousands of drug users who voluntary surrendered to the police authorities.

The cardinal added the Farms of Hope is a community-based approach to help drug dependents where they can slowly be integrated back into society.

“No person will be discarded by Jesus. Every person is welcome to follow the light and hope. Every life has hope,” he said. CBCPNews