Get to know more about the man who presides over Manila, the metropolitan see of the third largest Catholic country in the world.
Widely considered as a possible future Pope, Cardinal Luis Antonio “Chito” Gokim Tagle has certainly made an impression not only within the islands of the Philippines, but also to Catholics outside the country. His cheery personality has painted an approachable quality to his demeanor, making him beloved by the Catholic community. Here are some things you might not know about the Archbishop and Cardinal-Priest.
Cardinal Tagle is a Blue Eagle
Cardinal Tagle at Ateneo Grade School
Born into a devout Catholic family, the Cardinal went to St. Andrew’s School in Paranaque City for his primary and secondary education where he graduated valedictorian both times. Upon deciding on taking the path of priesthood, he took up Philosophy in Ateneo de Manila University, and later Master of Arts in Theology at the Loyola School of Theology. He then completed his licentiate and doctorate at the Catholic University of America in Washington.
He was ordained to priesthood at 24
At 24 years old, Tagle’s first post was as associate pastor of St. Augustine Parish in the Diocese of Imus. He simultaneously held various positions within the diocese, including a 27-year stint as rector of the Tahanan ng Mabuting Pastol in Tagaytay, which he started at when he was 27 years old. In the midst of his work in the Diocese of Imus, he also went to Rome to study for seven years.
He worked closely with Pope Benedict XVI
In 1997, then-Pope John Paul II appointed Tagle as a member of the International Theological Commission where he served under then-Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger. His responsibilities included examining and addressing doctrinal questions, including those surrounding the “History of Vatican II.”
Tagle is the seventh Filipino to be made Cardinal
The Holy See appointed Tagle Archbishop of Manila on October 13, 2011, and became responsible for the 2.8 million Roman Catholics in the said metropolitan see. In the Symposium for Healing and Renewal at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, he spoke and acted strongly for the cause of sexual abuse victims in Asia. A year later, Pope Benedict XVI named Archbishop Tagle to the College of Cardinals on October 24 and was assigned the titular chirch of San Felice da Cantalice a Centocelle.
He is the most popular Cardinal on Facebook
With over 500,000 likes, Cardinal Tagle’s Facebook page, which is managed by the Jesuit Communications Foundation, features snippets from his television programme, The Word Exposed. His Twitter account is also being used as a means to communicate his homilies. While he still maintains the traditional teachings of the church regarding the sanctity of family, he is making a stand to try to change the attitudes of some Catholics towards homosexuals, divorcees, and single mothers in order to make them feel accepted and loved by the commnity.
Cover photo from the Archdiocese of Manila. Photo of Cardinal Tagle at Ateneo courtesy of Ateneo website.
You might also like: