Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle of Manila leads a presentation ceremony for the handover of two new mobile clinics and medical equipment for Manila's street children and homeless on June 24. (ucanews.com photo by Mark Saludes)
Caritas Internationalis president Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle of Manila has emphasized the need to put into action the church's declaration of the Year of Mercy.
"Mercy is always accompanied by understanding and action, but action without mercy becomes sometimes meaningless," he said.
Calling on Filipinos to do more for the poor, Cardinal Tagle said mercy "should not be left as an emotion" but must be "propelled into actions."
He was speaking at a presentation ceremony to hand over two new mobile clinics and medical equipment for Manila's street children and homeless on June 24.
The United States-based Barnabite Heart to Heart Ministry donated the clinics and medical equipment for its "Make Sad Eyes Smile" project in Manila.
"Small people who have pure intentions have persevered to make the project came to life," Father Robert Kosek, who initiated the project, said.
"Small acts of kindness" made the project possible, adding that the mobile clinics are an "oasis of mercy" through the people who shared.
Cardinal Tagle said "the love of God in the Year of Mercy" became real in actions such as providing health care for the poor.
The prelate encouraged Catholics to continue showing kindness, saying, "Love moves through collaboration."
The cardinal urged people to "nurture the gift [the clinics] " as the Archdiocese of Manila "accepts the gift with responsibility."
"Let the gift be used responsibly to promote the good, especially for the poor," he said.