FRESH off his formal elevation as one of the new “princes of the Church,” Cardinal Pablo David yesterday urged the Filipino faithful to be more open to having relationships with everyone, including non-Catholics.
In an interview after his homecoming and thanksgiving Mass last Saturday, David said that instead of building walls, people should create bridges that will connect them to everybody else.
“Here on Earth, there are too many walls being built. We should demolish the walls that divide us and build more bridges of goodwill among ourselves. We should learn to walk with one another,” he said.
“Catholics should learn to be one with non-Catholics, fellow Christians, other religions and faith communities, and all fellow human beings,” added the Kalookan bishop.
David said embracing all religions is in accordance with the main role of the Church as underscored by Pope Francis.
“The role of Pope Francis is being the supreme bridge builder. We are supposed to be symbols of unity, communion, bridge builders,” he said.
Last Saturday, David celebrated his first Mass in the Philippines as a cardinal at the packed San Roque Cathedral in Caloocan City.
He arrived from the Vatican just last Friday night after attending the consistory at the Vatican.
In the December 7 consistory officiated by Pope Francis, David and 20 others were elevated to the rank of cardinal.
