Cardinal Tagle appeals for help in repairing rundown Filipino priests' home | GMANetwork.com - Corporate - Articles

The Cardinal said the project isn’t merely a construction matter. The upkeep of the building is vital in helping build the Philippine church.

Cardinal Tagle appeals for help in repairing rundown Filipino priests' home

December 02 2014

By MARY LOUISE LIGUNAS
 PHOTO BY BOCHIC ESTRADA, GMANetwork.com

Manila Archbishop Eminence Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle is pleading for help.

The Pontificio Collegio Filippino, a property of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines in Rome, needs long overdue maintenance.

The 70-room building, dubbed as the “Home in Rome,” is primarily the residence of Filipino priests who are sent by bishops and local churches to pursue further studies in the different pontifical universities in Rome, Italy.

According to the Cardinal, the project isn’t merely a construction matter. The upkeep of the building is vital in helping build the Philippine church.

For over 50 years, it has been a home to students, a refuge for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), tourists, and pilgrims, and a door to the soul of the Philippines.

For students

The Collegio, which is a 10-minute walk from the Vatican, has been home to priests who have studied or are studying Theology, Philosophy, Canon Law, Scriptures, Liturgy, Patristics, Ecumenism, Interreligious Dialogue and Communications, among others.

“Hindi po ito basta dormitory lang… It’s really an official venue where priests and religious are inserted into the very life of the local church and the universal church… It’s (their) mission to study so that (they) can be equipped for a ministry in the future,” the Cardinal said.

For OFWs

Aside from the OFWs who visit the Collegio, the priests who live there help guide the Filipino communities in Italy.

"'Yung Filipino priests natin na nasa Collegio, they also serve as chaplains to the Filipino communities outside of Rome. They call on the priests of the Collegio to minister to them, like weekend masses, o (kapag Christmas season), simbang gabi. Malungkot na nga naman na malayo ka sa bansa mo, at least kahit ilang araw, may misang Pilipino, may putobumbong, may pancit, thanks to the ministry of the Filipino priests (living) in the Collegio Filippino,” Cardinal Tagle added.

For guests

True to the popular Filipino hospitality, the Collegio also welcomes priests from different parts of the world. It also houses student priests from countries who have no official residences in Rome. Cardinal Tagle shared that there is an African priest who currently lives in the Collegio, and who greatly admires the Filipino spirit.

“Sabi niya sa akin, ‘This was one decision that I will never forget in my life. I made the right decision. Of the many colleges where I could’ve stayed, it was the right decision for me to choose the Collegio Filippino. I discovered the beauty of the Filipino soul… You are a beautiful people,’” he shared.

The words of the African priest greatly moved the Cardinal. “Pati doon sa Rome na melting pot of different countries, especially those studying and serving the church, ‘yung Collegio Filippino serves as a door, a window to the Filipino soul. Nakakatuwa (na) in that small house, we Filipinos contribute to the formation of future ministers of other churches spread all over the world,” he said.

The maintenance of the Collegio is crucial. Walls and floors are stained, and the heaters have stopped working.

“’Yung walls, ‘yung mga pintura ay tuklap na, maraming mantsa, tapos pati ‘yung floor, parang kahit ilang beses lampasuhin, mukha pa ring marumi. Pag nasa loob ka ng kwarto, lalo na pag winter, parang mas malamig pa sa loob kaysa labas kaya pagpasok mo sa bedroom, doon ka magwi-winter coat. Pag labas mo, minsan mas mainit pa… Puro kalawang na ‘yung pipes for heating,” the Cardinal shared.

Additionally, water pipes have broken down.

“Minsan may oras na, ang hot water, nagiging malamig, tapos bigla namang kumukulo. Minsan makakarinig ka na lang ng nagsisigawan… Noong minsan nga na nandoon ako, parang may fountain sa entrada ng gate. Akala ko merong nagdidilig, parang may sprinkler, ‘yun pala ay talagang may nag-burst na  na pipe (at nawalan ng) tubig sa lahat ng rooms,” he added.

The Cardinal hopes that Filipino Catholics can support Isang Tugon, a campaign designed to raise funds for the special Filipino structure in Rome.

“Wala pong imposible… May awa ang Diyos,” he declared.

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