AXIOS! Imus Bishop is the next Philippine Primate

Manila Archbishop-elect Luis Antonio Tagle

Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales, the current Archbishop of Manila, submitted his retirement letter in 2007, as it is mandatory for bishops reaching the age of 75, but his resignation was accepted by the Pope four years later; and today, we wake up with a new shepherd of the most influential Archdiocese in the country, since it was the very first diocese established in the Spanish times. Archbishop-elect Tagle, having the episcopal motto "Dominus Est" (It is the Lord), is currently the third Bishop of Imus and the diocese at the threshold of its Golden Jubilee this year. This was his official statement: 


His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI appointed me, a humble servant to succeed His Eminence Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales to the Metropolitan See of Manila. I face this heavy responsibility with much trepidation. Leaving the Diocese of Imus, my beloved our home, at the threshold of its Golden Jubilee is not easy. But faith in our gracious Lord and love of the Church give me strength. I know that I would find much good will and zeal for mission in the clergy, religious and lay faithful of the Archdiocese of Manila. In our openness to the Holy Spirit, we could render a joyful and robust witness to Jesus Christ, all for the glory of the Father and the good of the Church and of society, especially of the poor. I entrust the Archdiocese of Manila and my ministry to the loving care of Our Lady, Mary Immaculate.

+ Luis Antonio G. Tagle
13 October 2011 




Just a few suggestions for the Archbishop-elect: 


First and foremost, we pray that you may follow the footsteps of Davao Archbishop Capalla in promoting the beauty of the Liturgy, so as to influence the suffragan dioceses you are about to administer as Metropolitan (namely, Novaliches, Pasig, Parañaque, Antipolo, Malolos, San Pablo, Cubao, Kalookan, and Imus), without compromise and impurities. I expect that you will face the SSPX for this, but remember that the Church will never be prevailed by the gates of hell as long as you are in communion with the Successor of Peter (Matt. 16:18). 


Secondly, your predecessor, Cardinal Rosales, have created a program called "Pondo ng Pinoy". We hope you will continue and strengthen this program. 


And finally, may you continue to uphold the sanctity of life.... And I think everyone knows about that.... 


Anyway, Bishop Chito, as he is colloquially known, is very much exposed in the media, currently hosting a Sunday Gospel reflection program over Studio 23(?) and over YouTube. I very much expect that he will be known as the media-friendly Archbishop. 




To Manila Archbishop-emeritus Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales, we thank you for shepherding Manila, and extendedly, the whole country, in our beliefs. You have fought a good fight. You have finished the run. And you have preserved our faith, just as St. Paul proclaimed. May the Lord bless you in your retirement. 


To Manila Archbishop-elect Luis Antonio "Chito" Tagle, we are congratulating you for being the new shepherd of the Archdiocese of Manila. 


AXIOS! AXIOS! AXIOS! 




Just a footnoter: Looks like someone isn't THAT happy for this....