Tagle on politicians that steal government money

Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, Archbishop of Manila, gives his homily during Holy Mass at the Duomo in Milan.

MANILA — Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle said those who steal government money are very brave (tapang ng apog).

“Those who steal from the country’s coffers you have guts. Very brave,” he said in Filipino during a forum on Good Governance in Quezon City on Saturday.

The cardinal added that such bravery is not the kind the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) is asking from the laity “to choose to be brave” as the Catholic Church celebrate 2014 as Year of the Laity.

“That is not the kind of bravery that is being asked of us…we should use courage in being good,” Tagle said,

He added, “Why is it when we are called to be pro-God, life, country and environment we become a coward but when it comes to being mischievous, we are not only brave but very creative as well?”

Several lawmakers have been implicated in the P10 billion pork barrel fund scam, for allegedly diverting their priority development assistance fund (PDAF).

The “Good Governance Forum” is organized by the Diocese of Novaliches, which is in line with the Church’s commitment to social justice for “a better Philippines” in preparation for the 2016 elections.

The event was held at the San Vicente de Paul Parish in Tandang Sora, Quezon City.