Manila Archbishop Jose F. Cardinal Advincula congratulates Filipina athlete Hidilyn Diaz for bringing home the first Olympic gold medal during the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo.
“Sa ngalan ng buong Archdiocese of Manila, binabati ko si Ms. Hidilyn Diaz sa kanyang tagumpay sa Olympics 2020,” Cardinal Advincula said in the message he sent to Radio Veritas.
“Salamat, Hidilyn, sa napakalaking karangalan na ibinigay mo sa ating bansa. Ang tagumpay mo ay nagbibigay liwanag, inspirasyon, at pag-asa sa aming lahat, lalo na sa mahirap na panahong ito,” he added.
The 30-year old Filipina weightlifter from Zamboanga won the first gold medal for the Philippines since the country’s first appearance in the Olympics in 1924. Diaz won in the women’s 55 kg category for weightlifting and made an Olympic record after lifting a combined weight of 224 kg.
Cardinal Advincula also recognized Diaz’s faith and devotion to the Lord and to the Blessed Virgin Mary that led her to victory.
“Salamat din sa iyong pagpapatotoo sa iyong matibay na pananampalataya sa Diyos at malalim na pag-ibig sa Mahal na Birheng Maria. Salamat sa pagpapaalala sa amin na walang tunay na tagumpay kung hindi ito nagmumula sa Diyos,” Cardinal Advincula said.
Meanwhile, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines issued a statement on Tuesday, July 27, 2021, congratulating Diaz for bringing pride and honor to the Philippines.
“On behalf of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, I extend my utmost gratitude to Hidilyn for bringing honor to our country with her determined spirit and undying passion for what she does,” Archbishop Romulo Valles, CBCP President said in the statement.
“Her victory was captured through many lenses and in one of these photos was her holding the gold medal and wearing a Miraculous Medal of Our Lady on her chest. We admire her devotion to the Blessed Mother as she carried in her victory her great faith in God,” he added. (Jheng Prado/RCAM-AOC)
