THE appointment of Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle as a “cardinal bishop” shows how much trust Pope Francis has in him
This is the belief of Tagle’s brothers in the Philippines after learning of his appointment to the order of “cardinal bishops,” the highest rank within the College of Cardinals.
“The title only means that Cardinal Chito is now regarded by Pope Francis as one of his closest advisers in the College of Cardinals,” Bishop Pablo David, president of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines, said on Sunday.
“We are happy for this appointment. It shows the trust of the Holy Father but at the same time the greater expectation from him,” said Bishop Broderick Pabillo, apostolic administrator of the Archdiocese of Manila.
David expressed belied Tagle will remain grounded despite his appointment to a top post in the Catholic Church. “Knowing Cardinal Chito, I don’t think such a title would mean much to him. Jesus has always cautioned us about the hazards of receiving honorific titles like these. Pope Francis himself is very much aware of this,” he said.
Pabillo said his colleagues in CBCP will pray for the continued expansion of Tagle’s role in the Holy See.
The Vatican, late Friday, announced the elevation of Tagle to the “Order of Cardinal Bishops” by Pope Francis.
The College of Cardinals has three ranks, namely the cardinal deacons, the cardinal priests, and the cardinal bishops. Cardinal bishops have jurisdiction over a church in a suburb of Rome while working in departments of the Roman Curia, the central administration of the Church.
It is also from the ranks of cardinal bishops that the Dean of College of Cardinals is elected.
Cardinal deacons, often called “the Pope’s cabinet,” are mostly curial officials while cardinal priests are those working in dioceses all over the world.
To recall, Tagle was appointed on Dec. 8, 2019 as Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples in the Holy See. He was then archbishop of Manila.
Tagle left the Philippines just last February to assume his new post, whose occupant is also known as the “Red Pope,” due to the post’s considerable power in the Roman Curia and the appointment of bishops in mission lands.
Pabillo, meanwhile, said people are longing for leaders who are transparent, able to give clear directions to his people, and are good examples, amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Pabillo issued the message as Catholics observed “Good Shepherd Sunday.” He said having good leaders during the COVID-19 pandemic is vital as “their decisions impact the well being of their constituents.”
“In times of crisis, people long for leaders who are transparent. They have confidence when they see their leaders doing the right things, and there are no hidden agenda behind their decisions,” Pabillo said during his homily.
“It would be a big help if leaders can be clear in their statements instead of giving out vague statements, sometimes even irrelevant, that the people may even think that he has other agenda, that is why he cannot get straight to the point, or is it because he does not really care if he is clear with his message and that the people understand him,” said Pabillo.
On a leader being a good example, Pabillo said, “The good shepherd does not push the sheep to a direction. He leads the way because the sheep trust him, they follow behind him. They trust him because he goes first where he first wants the sheep to go. As the saying goes, he walks the talk,” said Pabillo.
