Manila (AsiaNews) – The Catholic community of the Archdiocese of Manila gathered at the Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the priestly ordination and the 25th anniversary of the episcopal ordination of Cardinal Jose F. Advincula, who was appointed Archbishop of the Philippine capital in 2021.
The Eucharistic celebration was followed by the launch of “Audiam: a listening heart for a synodal Church”, a collection of selected homilies by the cardinal that traces his ministerial journey and his call towards deeper communion, authentic renewal and a Church whose heart is truly open to listening.
Words of gratitude
“We give thanks to God for the gift of his faithful and inspiring ministry. May He continue to bless him with wisdom, strength, grace and joy as he guides His people and shares His love. May his service continue to be a splendid witness to God’s abundant grace and his unwavering dedication to the Church”, said Monsignor Rolando Ramos dela Cruz, rector of Manila Cathedral.
Archbishop Charles John Brown, Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines, congratulated Cardinal Advincula on his double anniversary: the 50th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood and the 25th of his episcopal ordination. On behalf of Pope Leo XIV, Brown thanked the cardinal for his service, his dedication and his pastoral ministry in the country.
Hundreds in attendance
Hundreds of priests, nuns, religious and laypeople attended the event and prayed for the cardinal. In his address, Advincula expressed his gratitude to God, to the people, to the priests, to the religious and to the millions of laypeople who have been part of his missionary work.
Advincula was born on 30 March 1952 and was ordained a priest on 14 April 1976 for the Archdiocese of Capiz in the Philippines. In 2001, he was appointed Bishop of San Carlos and, in 2011, Archbishop of Capiz. In 2020, he was created a cardinal. The following year, in 2021, he was appointed Archbishop of Manila by Pope Francis.
One of his main pastoral priorities as a priest, bishop and cardinal has been to devote himself to rural areas through evangelisation, opening mission centres to bring the faith to people wherever they are, and launching scholarship programmes for needy and poor students, building their future through education and helping them to contribute to the nation’s development.
