Manila archbishop pushes spaces to 'speak without fear' after Ateneo de Zamboanga shooting

Following the fatal school shooting at the Ateneo de Zamboanga, Manila Archbishop Jose Cardinal Advincula urged the public to create safe spaces for the youth's silent struggles.

In a message on Friday, Cardinal Advincula expressed solidarity with the families and victims of the school shooting in Zamboanga City on August 18 that left two students dead.

"With a heavy heart, I join the entire nation in expressing our solidarity with those who have been affected by the recent shooting incident at Ateneo de Zamboanga University," Cardinal Advincula said.

"We hold in prayer the victims and their families, those who were injured and traumatized, and the entire University community as you face this painful and difficult moment," he added.

Cardinal Advincula emphasized that acts of violence in schools do not only wound individuals physically, but they also wound the sense of safety and trust in schools.

"For this reason, we must not allow this tragedy to pass without listening deeply to what it tells us about the struggles of our young people," he said.

"Our young people today carry many burdens. Some silently struggle with loneliness, anxiety, despair, family difficulties, bullying, academic pressures, and other crises that may not always be visible to those around them," he added.

The Manila archbishop called on the public to help in building spaces for the youth where they can be vulnerable and transparent, especially about the struggles that they usually carry in silence.

"We need to listen to them, not only when they speak loudly, but especially when they suffer quietly. We need to create spaces where they can speak without fear of judgment, seek help without shame, and know that they are valued and loved," Cardinal Advincula said.

Cardinal Advincula encouraged people to turn to prayer, adding that prayer should also lead to united action toward strengthening a culture of care, compassion, dialogue, and accompaniment.

In solidarity, he extended his prayers for the healing and consolation of the Ateneo de Zamboanga community. — VDV, GMA News