Benedict picks Manila prelate

Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Tagle. FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Tagle is one of the “Synod Fathers” named by Pope Benedict XVI to the upcoming assembly of bishops on the New Evangelization.

Established by Pope John Paul II in 1965, the synod of bishops aims to “foster unity and cooperation from bishops around the world with the Holy See.”

According to an article posted on the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) website, Tagle will join 34 other cardinals, bishops and representatives of different religious orders and charisms within the Church when they meet with the Pontiff from Oct. 7 to Oct. 28 in the Vatican.

“This also means the Manila archbishop will already be in the Vatican during the canonization of the soon-to-be second Filipino saint, Blessed Pedro Calungsod, on Oct. 21,” the article said.

There are only two Asians in the group, which will be composed of 10 cardinals, one patriarch, 11 archbishops, eight bishops and four priests.

The other Asian prelate is Mumbai Archbishop Oswald Gracias, secretary general of the Federation of Asian Bishops Conferences, it added.

The 13th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops will address the theme, “The Evangelization for the Transmission of the Christian Faith.” Tina G. Santos