Cardinal Tagle urges Catholics to put human witness at heart of evangelization

Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle told Catholics to prioritize personal relationships over technology when sharing their faith during a Mass for the 75th anniversary of the Diocese of Legazpi on Oct. 28, 2026. Speaking at St. Gregory the Great Cathedral Parish in Legazpi City, Tagle, the pro-prefect of the Vatican’s Dicastery for Evangelization, said that technology and social media can support missionary work but cannot replace personal testimony.

Tagle stated that evangelization requires human witnesses who have personally encountered Jesus. He noted that gadgets cannot lead people to faith and that only people can serve as missionaries. He encouraged the faithful to share what they have seen, heard, and touched personally and communally regarding Jesus.

The cardinal also urged baptized Catholics to use their specific talents to serve others and strengthen their communities. He identified ordinary skills, such as singing, reading, and cooking, as tools for evangelization when used to serve orphans, the elderly, and persons deprived of liberty. Tagle warned that jealousy and competition can prevent people from using these gifts for the common good.