Sierra Madre Cross a strong symbol of hope―archbishop

MANILA Archbishop Luis Antonio Tagle welcomed the pilgrim Sierra Madre Cross in the archdiocese stressing its presence is a call to hope and a challenge for everyone to act towards the protection of nature and fellow man.

“We are challenged by the cross to restore peace that should prevail between nature and man, between man and his neighbor and between all of God's creation and creator,” Tagle said in a message written in Filipino.

The pilgrim Sierra Madre Cross which has been touring dioceses in Luzon provinces was welcomed in the Archdiocese of Manila on July 7 and has since visited several parishes within the archdiocese.

A symbol of advocacy against environmental abuse, the Sierra Madre Cross is being brought in pilgrimage visiting various provinces that are being threatened by ecological destruction.

Parishioners venerate the Sierra Madre Cross during an
overnight vigil held in Quiapo Church, July 7 and 8.
(Photo: www.quiapochurch.com)

Made of mulawin driftwood, the Cross was created through the help of some Ifugao natives.

The Manila archbishop said that the Sierra Madre cross is also a representation of the groaning of the environment, an innocent victim of violence, greed and human arrogance.

When destruction is inflicted on the environment, Tagle said, the same act of violence is also committed against persons, especially the indigenous people whose very existence has a deep connection with nature, and those who protect it.

The Quiapo Church was the first stop of the pilgrim Cross after it was handed over by the Diocese of Kalookan to Manila archdiocese on July 7.

After an overnight vigil of various groups, including students of Catholic schools in the vicariate and Manila youth Ministry, the Cross was transferred on July 8 to San Roque parish in Pasay City, and on July 9 to Makati City, where it stayed at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe until 2:30 pm of July 10.

On July 11, the pilgrim Cross will be brought to EDSA Shrine in San Juan, and will stay there until July 12 before it leaves for the Diocese of Cubao.

The Save Sierra Madre Network Alliance (SSMNA) is bringing the pilgrim Cross to different parishes in an effort to raise awareness on the abuses done on environment, especially mining and illegal logging along Sierra Madre. (CBCPNews)