Tagle: Help those more in need

MANILA, Philippines — If you have extra food and medicine, do not offer them to former Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle, who has tested positive for coronavirus disease 2019. Instead, share these with the less fortunate who are in need.

Fr. Reginald Malicdem, Manila Cathedral rector who had served as Tagle’s private secretary when he headed the Archdiocese of Manila (RCAM), said at yesterday’s mass that when news broke that the Cardinal was in the Philippines and had tested positive for the virus, Tagle’s phone has been ringing almost non-stop with calls and text messages expressing their concern for the 63-year-old prelate.

Malicdem said they were surprised to learn that Tagle, the Vatican’s Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples and president of Caritas Internationalis, arrived in the country last Sept. 10 and was immediately tested for COVID-19 at the airport.

Although the Cardinal was reported to be asymptomatic, the church has asked the faithful to offer prayers for him.

“Since a lot of people knew that we used to work together, I have been receiving several text messages and calls. People are asking me where is the Cardinal because they wanted to bring him some food, fruits or medicines like vitamins… Because he might need a doctor, and there are hospitals offering their services saying they are ready to help,” said Malicdem.

Judging by the pledges of food to be offered to the Cardinal, he believes they would have been able to feed a hundred people.

But while the Cardinal would have been pleased to learn of and grateful to those volunteering to help him, Malicdem also knew that the Cardinal would have preferred that these gifts be given to those in need.

“There are already a lot of people offering food for the Cardinal, maybe they have neighbors who are hungry and needs them more,” he said.

He added that those who have more in life and have extra food or medicines should share with those in need of nourishment and medicines.

The Manila Cathedral official recalled that just the other day, someone asked for help because no hospital would accept him.

But the priest said since he received calls offering to provide medical assistance to the Cardinal, this only proves there were hospitals that are willing and capable to serve others.

“Let us not only help those who are sick and popular, there are several people who need to be admitted in hospitals or in need of a doctor. We should also offer our services to these people. This is what paying forward means,” Malicdem added.