By Ferdinand G. Patinio
MANILA, May 15 (PNA) — Earning 91 out of the 133 votes by the Caritas Internationalis member countries, Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle was elected as the new president of the organization during its 20th General Assembly in Rome.
With this, Filipino clergy officials were elated over the selection of the head of the Archdiocese of Manila to lead the Catholic Church’s arm that responds to disasters, promotes integral human development and advocates on the causes of poverty and conflict.
“We are very happy and proud. Cardinal Tagle is a gift of the church in the Philippines to the world. He is a blessing everywhere he is sent,” said Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop and Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) President Socrates Villegas.
Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo said the selection of Tagle is a pride of the nation.
“It’s a great honor for our country and I wish him well in his service to the universal church,” said the head of the Public Affairs Committee of the CBCP.
For his part, Fr. Anton Pascual, executive director of Caritas Manila, is convinced that the cardinal has been elected since he comes from “the Philippines that is a disaster corridor in this part of the world.”
“The world can learn much from our experience of survival, resiliency imbedded in our culture and the steadfastness of our faith,” he said.
Pascual added, “He represents the Third World that experienced the brunt of calamities both man-made and natural. The poor are the natural victims like the Philippines. The heart of the cardinal is with the poor. He speaks their language, breaths their aspirations and can discern God’s wills that will resonate for mercy and compassion.”
Tagle is the first Caritas Internationalis president from Asia.
According to Fr. Edwin Gariguez, NASSA/Caritas Philippines’ executive secretary and representative to the General Assembly, the election was conducted in an orderly and transparent manner, wherein each member country is called one-by-one to cast their votes in front of the stage of the big plenary hall.
“I am more than happy and thankful with the election of Cardinal Tagle as President of Caritas Internationalis, not only because of the international recognition given to him being a Filipino, but more importantly, he is the right person for the job. His pastoral zeal and leadership will certainly challenge the organization to strengthen its commitment of serving the poor and the vulnerable. The poor has a special place in his heart. His pastoral ministry stems from a genuine sense of compassion like Pope Francis,” the Catholic priest said in a statement.
As head of Caritas Internationalis, Tagle will help strengthen the confederation’s works in the light of serving the most vulnerable and in living out charity and justice throughout the world.
Caritas Internationalis was formed in the 1950s and present in 165 countries worldwide with South Sudan as the newest member.
It can be recalled that as part of the election process, the Pope has approved the nominations of Cardinal Tagle and Archbishop Youssef Soueif of Caritas Cyprus before the two candidates were presented to the general assembly for a vote.
The Filipino cardinal will be replacing Cardinal Rodriguez Maradiaga of Honduras after serving as president for eight years.
Aside from the election of the new and other key positions, the other highlights of the general assembly is the setting of plans in the next four years on how to improve the lives of the poor amidst the challenges of inequality, migration, climate change, hunger and conflict.
Cardinal Tagle did not have the chance to personally appear before the Assembly because he was still in the United States, receiving another honorary doctorate from a theological school.
But he is expected to join the confederation on May 16 to formally assume his position.
For his part, Tagle said “Buona sera tutti!” Thank you for your trust. I am limited in my capacities but with all of you, with the love that Jesus has poured into our hearts and in the name of all the poor people in the world, I accept this election.”
NASSA/Caritas Philippines, which represents the country in Caritas Internationalis, pushed for the Cardinal’s nomination last year after the overwhelming and massive support by the global community to the survivors of Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) in the country. (PNA)