EIGHT months after he left for a new assignment at the Vatican, Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle was back yesterday at his former “seat” as the Archbishop of Manila, officiating Sunday Mass described by Rector Fr Reginald Malicdem as a “pleasant surprise.”
“On a personal note, I am very grateful to be back here in our beautiful cathedral to join you in the Eucharist eight months after my last mass here,” said the visiting Tagle.
“All of us were surprised that we celebrated the Mass today, led by Cardinal Tagle. We thank him for this,” said Malicdem.
“It’s been eight months since he went to Rome and said his last mass here. Now, we are glad that he is with us here at the Manila Cathedral again,” he added.
Tagle celebrated his last Mass as archbishop of Manila in February at the Manila Cathedral after he was appointed by Pope Francis as prefect of the Vatican’s Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples.
Last month, Tagle returned to the Philippines for a brief break and to visit his elderly parents. His vacation was interrupted after he tested positive for coronavirus disease (COVID-19) upon his arrival in the country. He has recovered.
Tagle thanked the Manila Cathedral, its officials, and the faithful for their constant support.
