» 10/13/2011 14:29 VATICAN - PHILIPPINES Pope appoints Mgr. Tagle Archbishop of Manila Mgr. Luis Antonio Tagle was born in 1957 in the Philippine capital, of which he now assumes pastoral leadership. Since 1997 he has been a part of the International Theological Commission.
Vatican City (AsiaNew) - Benedict XVI today named Mgr. Luis Antonio Tagle, Archbishop of Manila. Mgr. Tagle, currently Bishop of Imus, takes over from Card. Gaudencio B. Rosales, who resigned on having reached the age limit. The bishop has long been appreciated in the Church and in particular among PIME missionaries.
Bishop Luis Antonio Tagle was born in Manila June 21, 1957. After attending elementary and secondary schools at Saint Andrew's School (Parañaque), he studied philosophy at St. Jose Seminary in Manila and theology at Manila University. He attended courses in theology at the Catholic University of America (1987 - 1991) obtaining his doctorate in theology "summa cum laude". He also attended courses at the Paul VI Institute.
He was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Manila on February 27, 1982.
After ordination he held the following positions: parochial vicar of St. Augustine Parish (1982-1983), spiritual director of the diocesan seminary of Imus (1982-1983), rector of the same (1983-1985).
After having gone to Rome to study (1985-1992), he was appointed episcopal vicar for religious (1993-1995), then pastor of the Cathedral of Imus (1998-2001), member of the College of consulters; the council of priests, the consultant for the Commission for the Doctrine of the Faith in the local Episcopal Conference. Since 1997 he has been a member of the International Theological Commission.
On 22 October 2001 he was appointed Bishop of Imus by Blessed John Paul II. He received his episcopal consecration the following December 12. Within the Episcopal Conference of the Philippines he is president of the Commission for the Doctrine of the Faith.
Fr. Giulio Mariani, a missionary of the Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions in Zamboanga told AsiaNews: "Mgr Tagle is a great pastor, loved and listened to by the people. His appointment will bring good results to the whole Church in the Philippines. "
He stresses the great qualities of the new archbishop, who in recent years has contributed to the formation of young missionaries at the PIME Seminary in Tagaytay. "Many consider him too young for an assignment of such responsibility - he says - but during his episcopate, the bishops have often turned to him to solve problems in their dioceses. Bishop Tagle has left a big mark in his diocese, for his great humanity, simplicity and attention to young people. "
