Philippine Church urges Lenten campaign against indifference ‎

The Catholic Church in the Philippines has taken up the call of Pope Francis for Lent by inviting people to fight against the "globalization of indifference" in a concrete way by supporting the humanitarian initiatives of the National Secretariat for Social Action (NASSA), or Caritas, the national charity of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP).  NASSA director, Archbishop Rolando Tria Tirona of Caceres said that "listening to the poor and uniting in the fight against the destruction of the environment" can help people contribute to a better social development. For the prelate, the period of preparation for Easter should be used by the Church, the People of God, to "reflect on the plight of the poor and oppressed".   "Faith and charity" warned the prelate, "must go hand in hand, if we want to overcome this indifference."   Jesus, the archbishop recalled, is "the gate between God and man, between heaven and earth, opens once for all."  He recalls the words of Francis, when he says that the world tends to withdraw into itself and is not open to Christ. "The hand, which is the Church, must never be surprised if it is rejected, crushed and wounded ".  During his visit to the Philippine in January, the Pope  repeatedly recalled the need to help the poor, children and those affected by natural disasters that have hit the country recently.  The initiatives promoted by the Philippine Caritas include projects for land reform, environmental protection and support to fishermen and farmers displaced by natural disasters, such as typhoon Yolanda.  (Source: AsiaNews)