In a highly significant move, Pope Francis has appointed the Filipino Cardinal Luis Antonio Gokim Tagle, 62, archbishop of Manila, as prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples. The congregation oversees the work of the Catholic Church in most of the dioceses in Africa, Asia and Oceania, which is around one-third of the worlds 4,000 dioceses.
The Dec. 8 appointment reflects the popes deep desire for a missionary church. It is also a further expression of his outreach to Asia, a continent where two-thirds of the worlds population lives today. Francis has already visited the continent four times and plans to return to it again in 2020.
Advertisement
Cardinal Tagle is only the second Asian to hold that post, with the other being the Indian cardinal and Holy See diplomat, Ivan Dias who served from 2006 to 2011. He succeeds the Italian Cardinal Fernando Filoni, 73, who has been in that post since 2011, and whom Pope Francis has re-assigned to be Grand Master of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem. Cardinal Filoni succeeds the American Cardinal Edwin OBrien in that role.
The Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples is one of the big ones in the Roman Curia. It was originally called the Congregation for the Propagation of the Faith (Propaganda Fide) when it was first established by Pope Gregory XV in 1622, but Paul VI changed its name to the current one in 1967. Its task has always been the transmission and dissemination of the faith throughout the whole world, with specific responsibility for coordinating and guiding the churchs diverse missionary efforts and initiatives, as well as the promotion and formation of the local clergy and hierarchies, encouraging new missionary institutes and providing material assistance for the churchs missionary activity. It also plays a central role in the selection of candidates to be bishops in the dioceses under its remit and proposing their names to the pope.
When the congregation was first established 400 years ago, it was given responsibility for administering missions in the territories discovered by the Spanish and Portuguese conquistadors. Some church people outside of Europe say its ecclesiology or ecclesial vision is to an extent still influenced by that history which sees Rome and Christian Europe at the center, outside of which are the territories of Christianity, and the peripheries to be evangelized. They say it has yet to fully absorb the ecclesiological vision of the Second Vatican Council, something that Pope Francis will certainly want to ensure, and his appointment of Cardinal Tagle can be seen in this light too.
The Filipino cardinal arrives in Rome as Pope Francis reform of the Roman Curia is on the threshold of completion and will, it seems, include the incorporation of the Pontifical Council for the New Evangelization into the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples.
He was born into a Catholic family in Manila in 1957 to a Filipino father and a mother ofChinese origin. Known to many by the nick-name Chito, he studied philosophy and theology in the capital city of the Philippines. After his priestly ordination, he was sent to do further studies at the Catholic University in Washington D.C., where he earned a doctoral degree in theology. On his return to the Philippines, he was appointed rector of the seminary in his home diocese of Imus, where he also taught theology.
In 2002, St. John Paul II appointed him as bishop of Imus, a diocese of 2.6 million Catholics, with 102 priests, various Religious communities andCardinal Tagle later saidvery many good laypeople as co-workers.
A star communicator, at that time he hosted hour-long television programs in the Philippines during which he shared insights on the Scripture readings for Mass and answers viewers questions on the Bible and faith. Then, beginning in 2007, he hosted the talk show Light Talk, for which he often invited professionals and young people to discuss current issues. He presented the churchs perspective.
In 2011, Pope Benedict XVI appointed the then 54-year old charismatic churchman as archbishop and spiritual leader of 2.8 million Catholics in Manila, the capital city of this south-east Asian country with more than 7000 islands which today has a population of 109 million people, the overwhelming majority of whom are Catholic. Benedict created him cardinal in 2012 during the last consistory of his pontificate, enabling him to participate in the 2013 conclave that elected Pope Francis.
The Filipino cardinal has impressed bishops from around the world with his joy, insightfulness and vision and on three successive synods of bishops he was elected to the council, which is usually a strong signal that he is highly esteemed by his peers.
Cardinal Tagle is very close to Pope Francis and fully shares his synodal vision of a missionary church and his concern for the poor, which is also reflected in his own lifestyle. That closeness was visible when Francis visited the Philippines, Jan. 15-19, 2015, and celebrated Mass for the victims of Typhoon Yolanda in Tacloban and then in Manila attended by some six million people, the largest number ever at a papal Mass. It was particularly evident when Francis celebrated Mass in Manila cathedral.
Since May of 2015, Cardinal Tagle has been president of Caritas Internationalis, a confederation of 165 Catholic relief, development and social service organizations operating in more than 200 countries and territories worldwide. In that role he has traveled widely across the globe, visiting some of the areas with great humanitarian crises. It is not clear if he will continue in that role give his new responsibilities.
The appointment of Cardinal Tagle is the second major nomination to the Roman Curia made by Pope Francis in the last quarter of this year. On Nov. 14, he named the Spanish Jesuit Juan Antonio Guerrero Alves as the new prefect of the Secretariat for the Economy, and he is expected to make other top-level Vatican appointments in the coming months.
Continue reading here:
- Pope Francis to visit Asia and Oceania in September - Crux Now - April 16th, 2024 [April 16th, 2024]
- EY Weighs Another 100 Job Cuts in Oceania, The Australian Reports - Bloomberg - April 16th, 2024 [April 16th, 2024]
- Oceania Cruises Announces New 2025-2026 Tropics and Exotics Collection - Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings - April 16th, 2024 [April 16th, 2024]
- Pope Francis to visit 4 nations across Asia and Oceania in September - Vatican News - April 16th, 2024 [April 16th, 2024]
- Oceania Cruises Announces New 2025-26 Tropics and Exotics Collection - Cruise Industry News - April 16th, 2024 [April 16th, 2024]
- Pope Francis will head to Asia and Oceania in September for his longest foreign trip yet - America: The Jesuit Review - April 16th, 2024 [April 16th, 2024]
- Oceania Cruises Announces New Tropics and Exotics Collection for 2025-2026 - Porthole Cruise and Travel - April 16th, 2024 [April 16th, 2024]
- Per Berth Prices Rise for Oceania and Regent Newbuilds - Cruise Industry News - April 16th, 2024 [April 16th, 2024]
- Pope Francis to embark on tour of Southeast Asia, Oceania in longest papal trip - Bakersfield Now - April 16th, 2024 [April 16th, 2024]
- Pope will take his longest trip: to Asia-Oceania in September - Aleteia - April 16th, 2024 [April 16th, 2024]
- Asia/Oceania I: Korea, Republic maintain perfect record with another 3-0 win - Billie Jean King Cup - April 16th, 2024 [April 16th, 2024]
- Highlights of Billie Jean King Cup 2024 tennis tournament Asia-Oceania - Xinhua - April 16th, 2024 [April 16th, 2024]
- Oceania Cruises Announces New Tropics and Exotics Collection - Recommend Magazine - April 16th, 2024 [April 16th, 2024]
- VATICAN Pope Francis will be in Southeast Asia and Oceania from 2 to 13 September - AsiaNews - April 16th, 2024 [April 16th, 2024]
- Oceania Triathlon continental titles on the line in Taupo this weekend World Triathlon - World Triathlon - April 16th, 2024 [April 16th, 2024]
- DHL Express introduces dedicated flight between Sydney and Hong Kong to cater to Oceania-North Asia trade demand - payloadasia.com - April 16th, 2024 [April 16th, 2024]
- Vatican announces long-awaited papal visit to Asia and Oceania - Macao News - April 16th, 2024 [April 16th, 2024]
- EY confirms 148 jobs gone in mass redundancy round across Oceania - The West Australian - April 16th, 2024 [April 16th, 2024]
- Hosts Tonga launch campaign with dominant victory against American Samoa - Oceania Football Confederation - April 16th, 2024 [April 16th, 2024]
- Oceania Cruises unveils 2026 around the world voyage on Vista - TTG Asia - March 16th, 2024 [March 16th, 2024]
- Sea Control 501 Multilateral Approaches to Maritime Security in Oceania with Zach Ota | Center for International ... - CIMSEC - March 16th, 2024 [March 16th, 2024]
- Oceania set to open booking for $60K, 180-day around-the-world cruise - Business Insider - March 12th, 2024 [March 12th, 2024]
- Oceania Cruises Announces 2026 Around the World Voyage Aboard Its Newest Ship, Vista - PR Newswire - March 12th, 2024 [March 12th, 2024]
- The Oceania Vista will sail the world in 2026 - Travel Weekly - March 12th, 2024 [March 12th, 2024]
- Oceania Announces 2026 Around the World Voyage Aboard Vista - Cruise Industry News - March 12th, 2024 [March 12th, 2024]
- Oceania Championships: Record-breaking Samoan Opeloge and Australia's Elliott make moves in Olympic rankings - International Weightlifting Federation... - February 27th, 2024 [February 27th, 2024]
- Hawaii-based 'Indo-Pacific Support Cutter' focused on Oceania is on its first Pacific deployment - Honolulu Star-Advertiser - February 27th, 2024 [February 27th, 2024]
- PNG and Vanuatu to participate in inaugural FIFA Series - Football in Oceania - February 27th, 2024 [February 27th, 2024]
- OCEANIA/PAPUA NEW GUINEA - Escalation is feared after tribal conflict: The only way to avoid it is on-site dialogue - Agenzia Fides - February 27th, 2024 [February 27th, 2024]
- Brazil claim record-extending 6th FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup - Oceania Football Confederation - February 27th, 2024 [February 27th, 2024]
- NMI's Aiden Gimed wins silver in Oceania Weightlifting Championships - Marianas Variety News & Views - February 27th, 2024 [February 27th, 2024]
- Fiji U20s secures 39-25 win over Tonga at round 1 of Oceania Rugby U20s Challenge - Fijivillage - February 27th, 2024 [February 27th, 2024]
- Vakuruivalu wins bronze in the senior men's 109kg category at the Oceania Weightlifting Championship - Fijivillage - February 27th, 2024 [February 27th, 2024]
- 5G subs in SE Asia & Oceania to hit 550M by 2029-end - Nation Thailand - December 3rd, 2023 [December 3rd, 2023]
- AI image generator Stable Diffusion perpetuates racial and ... - University of Washington - December 3rd, 2023 [December 3rd, 2023]
- APCO and AIP partner to strengthen Oceania packaging industry - Packaging Gateway - December 3rd, 2023 [December 3rd, 2023]
- Solomon Islands to host OFC Women's Champions League in March - Friends of Football - December 3rd, 2023 [December 3rd, 2023]
- Tahiti tournament next prize for Wellington Olympic or Auckland City - Friends of Football - December 3rd, 2023 [December 3rd, 2023]
- Gordon Treanor joins $3bn drinks giant Suntory Oceania - The Shout - December 3rd, 2023 [December 3rd, 2023]
- LoL esports announces Japans LJL will join Oceania in PCS ... - Dexerto - December 3rd, 2023 [December 3rd, 2023]
- NZ Festival of Squash in Tauranga attracts top world and Oceania ... - Bay of Plenty Times - December 3rd, 2023 [December 3rd, 2023]
- Sisters Stephanie and Caley McNair gain international smallbore ... - Hawkes Bay Today - December 3rd, 2023 [December 3rd, 2023]
- Australian Superbike: Herfoss Earns Pole Position At "The Bend" - RoadracingWorld.com - December 3rd, 2023 [December 3rd, 2023]
- From boys' football to the Ferns in a year the rapid rise of winger ... - Friends of Football - December 3rd, 2023 [December 3rd, 2023]
- Global protein production expected to slow, but persist in 2024 - MEAT+POULTRY - December 3rd, 2023 [December 3rd, 2023]
- Catching up after the weekend? Heres all the top results and all on ... - Friends of Football - December 3rd, 2023 [December 3rd, 2023]
- All Blacks Sevens chart new beginnings in the HSBC SVNS Series - allblacks.com - December 3rd, 2023 [December 3rd, 2023]
- The Dominican Republic to host WBSC Americas U-15 Baseball ... - World Baseball Softball Confederation - December 3rd, 2023 [December 3rd, 2023]
- XXX BFA Asian Championship starts Sunday, qualifies three teams ... - World Baseball Softball Confederation - December 3rd, 2023 [December 3rd, 2023]
- Oceania - Students | Britannica Kids | Homework Help - March 31st, 2023 [March 31st, 2023]
- 5 Things You Should Know About: Oceania - WorldAtlas - March 4th, 2023 [March 4th, 2023]
- Oceania Healthcare (NZSE:OCA) Is Paying Out Less In Dividends Than Last Year - Simply Wall St - November 27th, 2022 [November 27th, 2022]
- 'Wingspan' Oceania Expansion Announced for Release Soon on iOS, Android, Switch, Xbox, and PC TouchArcade - Touch Arcade - October 30th, 2022 [October 30th, 2022]
- Oceania and Africa rising in university rankings - The PIE News - October 17th, 2022 [October 17th, 2022]
- South Asia And Oceania Pea Fiber Consumption Is Expected To Grow By Nearly 2x By 2032 - openPR - October 17th, 2022 [October 17th, 2022]
- PET Type Antiblock Masterbatch Market Size reach to 82.50 million USD in 2022-2027 With Impact of domestic and global market Top players: Review by... - October 17th, 2022 [October 17th, 2022]
- The Legend of Heroes: Trails to Azure launches on March 14, 2023 in North America; March 17 in Europe and March 24 in Oceania - RPG Site - October 17th, 2022 [October 17th, 2022]
- A 5G-proficient workforce will be in high demand: Nitin Bansal, MD, India & Head Networks, South East Asia, Oceania And India, Ericsson - The... - October 17th, 2022 [October 17th, 2022]
- Being in India more critical than ever: Ericssons Mirtillo | Mint - Mint - October 17th, 2022 [October 17th, 2022]
- Sedin lands in Melbourne with Steve de Mamiel at the helm - ARNnet - October 17th, 2022 [October 17th, 2022]
- Heavy Machinery Maintenance & Repair Demand Is Set To Reach A Valuation of US$ 284 Bn Billion 2032; Owing To Technology Integration into Service... - October 17th, 2022 [October 17th, 2022]
- WWII Ship Sunk In Oceania Shows Up In Dried-Up Californian Lake Officials Have No Idea How It Got There - IFLScience - October 15th, 2022 [October 15th, 2022]
- EY Oceania Strengthens Transformation Capability Through The Business Acquisition Of Red Moki - The Balance - October 15th, 2022 [October 15th, 2022]
- World University Rankings 2023: trends analysis - Times Higher Education - October 15th, 2022 [October 15th, 2022]
- How Africa is still paying the most for the lowest-quality internet - Benjamindada.com - October 15th, 2022 [October 15th, 2022]
- Global population hits 8 billion soon, but shrinks by 2100 - Big Think - October 15th, 2022 [October 15th, 2022]
- Banana Genomes Hint at Hidden Species We Urgently Need to Find - ScienceAlert - October 15th, 2022 [October 15th, 2022]
- Boxing: Kiwi heavyweight Hemi Ahio ready for the spotlight - New Zealand Herald - October 15th, 2022 [October 15th, 2022]
- An unbeatable moment to leverage: 2023 Womens World Cup must win hearts to change minds - The Guardian - October 15th, 2022 [October 15th, 2022]
- Architectural Services Sales Is Anticipated to Reach US$ 426.3 Bn by 2032; Rising Urbanization to Act as Key Drivers | Fact.MR's Study - GlobeNewswire - October 15th, 2022 [October 15th, 2022]
- Oceania unveils world cruise and other long voyages for 2025 - Travel Weekly - September 15th, 2022 [September 15th, 2022]
- Sailing to the Baltic Sea's top port cities with Oceania - Cruise Passenger - September 15th, 2022 [September 15th, 2022]
- Oceania Dairy tanker driver injured after truck rolls in South Cantebury - Stuff - September 15th, 2022 [September 15th, 2022]
- Study Highlights Wide Variation in Mortality of Spondyloarthritis, IBD Across the Globe - AJMC.com Managed Markets Network - September 15th, 2022 [September 15th, 2022]
- Earth had its 6th-warmest August on record - National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration - September 15th, 2022 [September 15th, 2022]
- Humans have caused unprecedented changes to rivers - Earth.com - September 15th, 2022 [September 15th, 2022]
- From boat to bike: Georgie Howe's rapid rise to the pro ranks - CyclingTips - September 15th, 2022 [September 15th, 2022]
- Turbulence not over: Asahi pushes canned beer and healthier innovation as cost pressures heighten - FoodNavigator-Asia.com - September 15th, 2022 [September 15th, 2022]
- Auckland City keep quadruple title hopes alive with Chatham Cup football final win - Stuff - September 15th, 2022 [September 15th, 2022]
- Cruise Lines That Don't Require a COVID-19 Vaccination - Cruise Fever - September 3rd, 2022 [September 3rd, 2022]