Cardinal Advincula: Listening to the youth is important

MANILA, Philippines — Following the school shooting at Ateneo de Zamboanga University, Cardinal Jose Advincula has underscored the importance of listening to the youth, especially when they are going through tough times.

Advincula expressed solidarity with those affected by the shooting incident on Aug. 18, in which two high school students died after a Grade 8 student, armed with a 9 mm Glock pistol, shot a fellow student inside Room 404 of the university. The shooter then ran to another floor before turning the gun on himself.

READ: Ateneo de Zamboanga shooting: 2 students dead

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Advincula said that school violence inflicts more pain than that suffered by those who were physically injured. He pointed out that such acts of violence wound the sense of safety and trust among young people as they learn and grow.

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“For this reason, we must not allow this tragedy to pass without listening deeply to what it tells us about the struggles of our young people,” the cardinal said in a solidarity message.

Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla earlier said that the shooter “was not bullied and had no connection with the slain student.” He also said that the suspect was an intelligent student.

Remulla added that there was no lapse on the part of the school because it had implemented security measures. He noted that the shooter “simply found an opportunity,” using a firearm that belonged to his father, who was a Bureau of Customs employee.

READ: Jonvic Remulla: No security lapse in AdZU shooting

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Advincula then acknowledged the silent burdens that some young people may be facing, such as loneliness, anxiety, despair, family difficulties, bullying and academic pressure.

“We need to listen to them, not only when they speak loudly, but especially when they suffer quietly. We need to create spaces where they can speak without fear of judgment, seek help without shame, and know that they are valued and loved,” Advincula stressed.

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The cardinal encouraged the public to turn the grief into prayer and united action to foster a culture of love and compassion “so that violence and hatred may never have the final word.” /das