By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Diocese of Bacolod Bishop Patricio Buzon recently released his Christmas and New Year’s Day message, appealing for the Roman Catholic faithful to not be afraid.

In his message, he said, “In a world gripped by fear and uncertainty because of fake news and untruth, we need to reaffirm God’s message: Do not be afraid.”

“These words may have been spoken by thousands of years ago, but their relevance still echoes our basic longing for the truth and what is good,” the Bishop said. “This is good news.”

He added, “It may seem that many are inclined to put more value upon impressions and appearances but there are still a good number who dare to uphold substance and truth.”

Buzon pointed out, “preference for the practical, the convenient and the pleasurable” may be permitted but “there can be no substitute for the good.”

“No amount of trolling and manipulation of public opinion can change the truth,” he added. “The good may be outnumbered but the good will always remain.”

The bishop also noted, “As we celebrate Christmas and the New Year in the Year of the Youth, the church upholds that the greatest message they can give to the children and the next generation that will follow is the same, constant, unadulterated truth that once upon a time, God became man.

“He came to redeem and restore that which is true and good in man whom He created after Himself,” Buzon continued, “Let us celebrate the true and the good in us.”

“Let us celebrate this good news so that our joy this season may be complete,” he added./DGB, WDJ