Lay faithful urged to drive safely, responsibly

MANILA – Commemorating the World Day of Remembrance (WDR) for Road Traffic Victims today, Sunday, Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle has called on the Catholic faithful to be more responsible in using vehicles to avoid deadly road mishaps and accidents. The ever expanding network of roads and highways and the increasing number of vehicles and people using them…(have) surfaced a culture, and modes of behavior that are often not desirable, or even downright uncaring and reckless,” Tagle said in a circular dated November 10. The results are road victimsand people who are hurt or who die because of reckless, irresponsible, and ignorant drivers people who get hurt or die because of their own lack of road discipline in crossing streets, and in observing road etiquette and courtesy people who kill or get killed because of road rage,” he added.The WDR for Road Traffic Victims, which was declared by the United Nations to draw the attention of people to this deadly phenomenon, is meant to remind people to drive responsibly and traverse roads with more diligence and focus, Tagle said.The prelate called for the inclusion of two additional intentions in the prayers of the faithful to be recited in masses during the WDR for Road Traffic Victims on Sunday, namelyand• For all drivers of vehicles of all types that they may be aware of their duty to respect their fellow road users and to ensure their own safety and the safety of those riding with them and of the people on the road, we pray.• For the eternal repose of the souls of victims of all road accidents, and for their families, that they may be consoled in their grief by their faith in God’s love and care, we pray. In this regard I ask you to raise our concerns to the God of order, to our Giver of life and include this intention in the prayers of the faithful on WDR for Road Victims on November 16,” Tagle said. Together let us pray to God our Father to lead us to safety and to keep us away from harm as we journey on this earth towards His heavenly Kingdom,” he added. (Jennifer M. Orillaza)