Tagle meets with people with HIV

MANILA, Philippines – Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle reportedly became emotional during his 30-minute meeting with people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) at the San Lazaro Hospital yesterday morning.

The 58-year-old cardinal was teary-eyed when he visited 25 HIV patients who were housed in a separate building, the Special Attention Ward, of the hospital, said Fr. Emerico San Juan, rector of San Carlos Minor Seminary.

The meeting was “very touching. He prayed with them and went to each of those who were already bedridden. He assured them of his prayers,” said Peachy Yamsuan, who heads the Archdiocese of Manila’s office of communications.

Tagle gave communion to the patients, telling them to have faith and be strong. San Juan said the cardinal also advised the patients’ families to resolve a problem as soon as one crops up so as not to add to the burden of the patient.

The cardinal also said that when he was a young priest in Washington, he dedicated a month-long ministry to people living with HIV.

Tagle was at the hospital to lead a ceremony for the opening of the Door of Mercy at the Chapel of St. Lazarus. The Door of Mercy is dedicated to people with ailments and those who care for them, according to officials.