Benedict picks Manila prelate as ‘synod father’

Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Tagle. FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Tagle is one the “Synod Fathers” named by Pope Benedict XVI for 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 Web site, Tagle will join 34 cardinals, bishops and representatives of different religious orders and charisms within the Church when they meet with the pope from October 7 to October 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 October 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.”