THE PHILIPPINES  
AFTER THE TYPHOON

“I SEE FAITH EMERGING”
Looking at the ruined villages and lives, Cardinal LUIS ANTONIO TAGLE, Archbishop of Manila, can nonetheless say, “This is a sacred moment.” He tells Traces about his people overwhelmed by Typhoon Haiyan, the 5,235 dead, the 900,000 homeless, but also about the “wave of love” of those who want to help. “The point is not to doubt God, but to seek Him.”

by Luca Fiore

Hope in the midst of pain. Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, Archbishop of Manila, 56 years old, the youngest of the electors of Pope Francis, watched helplessly as Typhoon Haiyan arrived on November 7th. Entire cities were swept away: Tacloban and Palo, as well as Guiuan, Capiz, Aklan, and Masbate. The fury of the typhoon left 5,235 dead, and it is estimated that at least 900,000 are now homeless. Those who had little now have nothing. People who saw their own families die can find no peace. And those who watch from afar try to be as close as they can. This is the case of the young Cardinal, who continues to sustain the hope of his people. Why? “Christians are Easter People” (thus the title of his 2005 book), people marked by the Resurrection of Jesus.

What are your thoughts and feelings in this moment of affliction for your people?
Like most Filipinos, I too am struck by the destruction we have before our eyes–houses, villages, and, most of all, lives. Even though, to some degree, we are used to typhoons and earthquakes, I have never seen such devastation. If I, physically far from the zones that were struck, am so moved, I can only imagine how much those in the midst of the disaster must feel. I am united with them in suffering, pain, prayer, and hope.

What are the priorities at the moment for the areas struck by the typhoon?
Naturally, food, water, medicine, and shelter for the homeless. In short, what is needed for survival. But to reach the places that need help, we have to clear the roads, the ports, and the airports. And we still have to bury the dead. But together with this, we have a great need above all to console the orphans, the broken families, those who have lost everything. We need to share hope with them.

What news do you have of the churches in these areas?
It took a long time to re-establish communications. The first news came from radio and television. But it took four days before I received the first message from one of the bishops. The bishops and priests of those areas have suffered as well, and greatly. They had to look for their families and their missing parishioners. In many cases, the churches and rectories were destroyed. The pastors are wounded like all the others.

What story struck you most?
There are many. But I cannot forget that of a man who lost his wife, children, and home. He wanted to let his mother know that he was alive, but she lives in another region and there was no way to contact her. He finally managed to talk to his mother when some television journalists loaned him their telephone and it was caught on camera. In the midst of cries and tears, he shouted, “Mother, I am alive. But I couldn’t save my family. Please, forgive me. Mother, mother....” It was the cry of a man who loved his family so much that he would have preferred to die to save them. This is why he felt guilty. But I did not see a failure, and certainly not fault. It was simply true love, the love that leads to sacrifice. I am certain that God will listen to that man.

What was the reaction of the ordinary people in the regions that were not hit?
Even the people in the areas that were not hit feel as if they were. We have all been struck. We all suffer. But people from every part of the Philippines and the world have shown a great deal of love and desire to share, and are doing everything possible to help. I am seeing a wave of love that is spreading throughout the Philippines. Where love is, there is God. This moment of pain is also a sacred moment.

You asked the faithful of your diocese to postpone their planned festivities, out of respect for this moment of suffering in the country. What was their reaction?
Well, the people appreciated this choice very much. In fact, many parishes, schools, and associations cancelled activities as a sign of solidarity. The money saved was sent to the regions that were struck. People are using their holidays to work as volunteers in the refugee centers or to help out with the emergency in other ways. I believe that this is a great opportunity for us Christians. It is an opportunity to educate our young people–humanly and socially. I see that everyone is very generous, in terms of both money and time.

How does the gaze of faith help in looking at such a tragedy?
I am seeing faith emerging from the ruins of homes, buildings, and lives. Faith is what enables people to look beyond today. It is what makes them continue believing in love. I called together our people for an hour of prayer. They expressed their suffering, pain, and questions to God. The point is not to doubt God, but to seek Him–to seek His true face in the midst of darkness. It is like going up on the Cross with Jesus, crying, “My God, my God, why have You abandoned me?” Filling the suffering with this veneration makes more space for hope.