The Archdiocese of Manila has urged Catholics to remain vigilant and discerning as the Philippines confronts what Cardinal Jose F. Advincula describes as a “deep moral and spiritual crisis” fueled by corruption, division, and widespread misinformation.
Fr. Carmelo P. Arada Jr., chancellor of the Archdiocese of Manila, instructed all clergy, religious communities, and lay faithful to have Cardinal Advincula’s pastoral letter, A Call for Vigilance, Sobriety and Discernment, read at all Masses on Nov. 15 and 16.
In a pastoral letter, Cardinal Advincula said Filipinos are inundated with messaging that can distort judgment and weaken moral clarity.
“This constant barrage can lead to confusion, division, and a weakening of our moral compass if we are not vigilant,” he wrote.
He reminded the faithful that “in moments of mass gatherings and public discourse, we do not let emotion prevail over reason. We must always adhere to the rule of law and resist any calls for extra-constitutional means to solve our problems.”
The prelate stressed that “our loyalty must be to our country and its democratic principles, not to persons, and certainly not to other self-serving motivations.”
The archbishop warned against the spread of falsehoods and the rapid circulation of unverified claims, saying that the “virus of lies and disinformation, which some have called a ‘pandemic of lies,’ can paralyze our capacity to recognize truth and goodness.”
“It is our Christian duty to verify the information we consume and to refrain from sharing what has not been authenticated. Let truth be our standard,” he added.
He also addressed members of the military, the police, and public servants, appealing for fidelity to constitutional duty. “Your fidelity to the Constitution is vital for the stability and integrity of our republic,” he wrote.
Cardinal Advincula stressed that the moment calls for clear moral grounding and a renewed commitment to national healing.
He urged Filipinos to go beyond practical fixes and embrace a deeper spiritual approach that involves honest self-examination, personal conversion, and a return to living according to God’s teachings.
He invited the faithful to join a national “Pilgrimage of Hope,” defined as “seeking national renewal and collective action against the societal ills that plague us,” and aligned the archdiocese with the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines in its call “for a sustained supplication for mercy and renewal through prayer and concrete action for the common good.”
