Manila (AsiaNews/CbcpNews) – “If you love Christ many people will hate you," said Card Luis Antonio Tagle of Manila speaking to the faithful on the feast of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, Monday.

Presiding over a Mass at the Minor Basilica of San Sebastian in Manila, the prelate stressed that the path to Christ will not be easy for them, especially this time when “God has many competitors.”

“Sometimes, those who pretend to be good look attractive [to others] and gain more followers than Christ,” Tagle said.

The cardinal said despite the attacks on the Church, Catholics do not need to get involved in any kind of fights just to get even.

“We don’t need to get into fights and it’s not our purpose to get into that, but prepare to be attacked because we are for Christ,” added Tagle.