Cardinal’s New Year message: Strive for peace, hope

MANILA, Philippines — Filipinos should never stop striving for peace and should have hope in their hearts even as “we fail miserably” in efforts to attain progress for the country, Cardinal Jose Advincula of Manila said in his New Year’s message yesterday.

“Peace is not achieved by force or fear, but by a disarmed heart and a disarming way of life. True peace begins within us, rejects violence and domination, and grows through humility, dialogue, mercy and trust,” Advincula said.

“Like most of you, I often feel the scourge of a people who have been wanting peace and progress, but to no avail. We can’t seem to get our act together. We often fail miserably,” he added.

He echoed the sentiments of Pope Leo XIV and said he is also praying for peace for the country.

Despite the country’s predicament, Advincula said that the people should never lose hope because the Lord would never abandon his people.