Pastoral Letter

“The SETTiNG UP OF SOUP KITCHENS

to Alleviate Suffering and Hunger”

Circular No. 33; Series of 1983

December 07, 1983

To our beloved Parish Priests, Assistant Parish Priests,

Religious Priests and Chaplains:

We are going through a difficult period in our national history. The mismanagement of our economy, exacerbated by the present political instability, has triggered off a crisis of serious proportion.

Factories are being shut down, thousands of people are being laid off. Business has ground to a virtual standstill, and all indications show that the situation will get worse before it can get better.

The critical economic dislocation is bound to cause suffering and hunger among the members of our flock. This could cause a mood of the people to turn ugly, and unless this is averted, the specter of violence and bloodshed could engulf us all.

In the face of this, what can we do as pastors?

This is a matter we should all give serious thought of. We should all start  planning a course of action for the Church to follow, so that, within the limits of her capacity, she may help alleviate the suffering and head off the threat of violence and conflict.

I suggest, my dear pastors, the setting up of soup kitchens in every parish, places where the poor and hungry can find a measure of relief.

In this undertaking, the various mandated organizations can help. They call pool their resources, give of their time, their treasure and their talent, so that, in the genuine spirit of Christian giving, they may show their love and their concern.

For my part, I shall tap all possible sources for help. I have already asked the Catholic Relief Services to donate what it can in the way of milk and wheat. I have started negotiations with concerned businessmen so that they can pool their corporate resources to extend a helping hand to our less priveleged brothers.

We have a solemn duty to help in these times of crisis. We must do all we can so that, while the country is struggling to get back on its economic feet, the people will have a haven to turn to, a haven where their hunger pangs can be assuaged and where they can feel the love and the concern that we must have for our brothers and sisters in distress.

All indications show that we shall start feeling the effects of the crisis by the start of the coming year. So time is of the essence and immediate action is imperative. For this reason, during our next priests’ assembly on December 20, may I expect all of you to come up with concrete plans on the setting up of these emergency kitchens where our parishioners can find relief?

I pray that all of us will be enlightened by the Holy Spirit so that we may know what to do in the difficult times that lie ahead.

During this holiday season, may you all be infused with the peace of the Lord. And may your hearts overflow with compassion and love for the poor and the distressed.

Devotedly yours in Christ,

(SGD.) + JAIME  L. CARDINAL SIN, D.D.

Archbishop of Manila

By order of His Eminence:

(SGD.) MSGR. JOSEFINO S. RAMIREZ, V.G.

Vicar General and Chancellor

Manila, December 07, 1983