Comments on: Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle for Pope?

By: tony,carmona,philippines

tony,carmona,philippines — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 13:08:52 +0000

Catholics & Non-catholics are wishing that the Holy Spirit will be instrumental to inspire every Cardinal to elect the successor of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI and of St. Peter to be the next Pope and shall not be based on ethnic origin, racial features and age,but rather his ability to speak with utmost humility,unite and encourage people around the world.God Bless Us All.

By: wilfrido m. sy, MD

wilfrido m. sy, MD — Sat, 02 Mar 2013 16:39:02 +0000

The Church is mired in turmoil for decades by scandals that have been swept under the rug. The greatest growth for the Church is in Asia, Africa and South America. In Europe it is becoming near moribund, many faithfuls are leaving the Church. The papacy for centuries was in Rome, then it moved to Poland, then to Germany (not literally.) The Eurocentricity of the papacy must somehow be interrupted and the time is now to elect someone outside Europe where the growth of the Church occurs. (There are some detractors who want it to contract, but this is foolhardy.)The election of the next pope by the fallibles to elect one infallible (when speaking ex-cathedra), lets not kid ourselves, is going to be a geopolitical decision.The conclave of cardinals must know this.
The age of Tagle may be an edge for him and not a liability. If his biodata is as impeccable as it is published what is the problem? he comes from Asia which is optimally ideal from a country that has the largest Catholic population for hundreds of years; he comes from the Philippines whose southernmost island is Mindanao and has a large Muslim population which has lived in peace with the rest of the population, the occasional uprisings and rebellions notwithstanding;this could be a ready-made window or bridge to better understanding of the Muslim world;if he in fact speaks Mandarin which I just read (a majority of the world population speaks Mandarin) this is a big plus, imagine its impact in China,its most powerful neighbor.
The conclave will not elect someone from a superpower nation,like the US, otherwise too much power is compounded to that nation. The European cardinals will not likely elect someone from Africa, that is too big a leap culturally. It is unlikely that the South American red hats will vote as a block or even if they did they will still be likely outnumbered by the European cardinals.If Europe decides to elect one of their own, which I feel is unlikely, they are mostly too traditionalist ans conservatives who are likely unfamiliar with the digital world and conclave electorate know this. It makes sense that Tagle would be the optimum compromise candidate for the papacy. His youthfulness is an asset and not a liability; he is able to relate to the modern changing dynamics of this world.His one fault as I see it is that he has a very disarming smile which is reflected in most photos published of him. He does not appear papal, but maybe this is what we need, someone who can mingle, live and relate with the people in the street.

By: Kenny Chen

Kenny Chen — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 12:23:51 +0000

Cardinal Tagle is half ethnic Chinese

By: RM Alfaro

RM Alfaro — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 06:42:39 +0000

We should not mistake meekness for weakness. Humility is a virtue!

I love this portion of an article written about Cardinal Tagle:

In his speech to the world Synod of Bishops on the new evangelization in October, then-Archbishop Tagle focused on the humility that must mark the church’s interaction with the world, a theme that recurs in his writings and
homilies.

Being humble means recognizing when the church does not have all the answers, and therefore being willing to remain silent, he told the synod, adding that “a church at home with silence will make the voiceless believe they are not alone.”

In his homily during the Mass for his installation as archbishop of Manila in 2011, he promised to remain humble.

“I tell myself as though it were the Lord telling me, ‘Chito, do not think you have become great because of your new position. Be great rather in
being a beloved and loving disciple of the Lord,’” he said, referring to himself by his nickname.

He also told Catholics the church must trust Jesus like the disciples did.

“We know that the Lord guards his church,” he said. “He keeps watch with us on those long nights of confusion and helplessness in mission.”

“When, in spite of our good intentions and efforts there are still multitudes of hungry people we cannot feed, homeless people we cannot shelter, battered women and children we cannot protect, cases of corruption and injustice that we cannot remedy,” he said, “the long night of the disciples in the middle of the sea continues in us.” But the experience makes the church “grow in compassion toward our neighbors whose lives seem to be a never-ending dark night.”

Source: Story from the Catholic News Service.

By: Fr Julian Green

Fr Julian Green — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 23:35:28 +0000

I often hear it said that the Cardinals will not vote for a recently appointed Cardinal. However, have a look at both Benedict XV and Pius XI. Pope Pius XI is particularly noteable for having risen from being a priest to Pope in under 3 years. In fact, there were as many relative newcomers to the College elected during the 20th Century as veterans.

I have mixed feelings about Cardinal Tagle as Pope. I was present for his feted catechesis at the International Eucharistic Congress in Quebec. I was impressed. But I have been less than impressed by his links with the School of Bologna. However, I have been saying ever since 11 Feb, I have a feeling he might come through.

By: kristian

kristian — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 05:35:52 +0000

Is it better for the church to think about the next pope in terms of ETHNICITY and EVANGELISM, or RETURN and RECONCILIATION (who has what it takes to allow priests in the Latin rite to marry and to reunify the Catholic and Orthodox churches)? Is what Catholicism is in trouble with really a PR problem?

By: Peter Lawler

Peter Lawler — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 14:48:41 +0000

After GOOGLING the guy a bit, I see a lot of merit in what John and Carl say. Tagle is not a deep theologian, but he clearly has the evangelical touch and might well be the “outsider” who could scare the CURIA straight, so to speak.

By: Carl Eric Scott

Carl Eric Scott — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 14:08:40 +0000

It would be a beautiful thing for legitimate Philipino patriotism and pride, both at home, in my home state of CA, and around the world where they are often pretty exploited as guest workers. Plenty of dyfunctionality in their politics, but they strike me as a patient and winningly unassuming people, and the more so the more Catholic they are.

By: John K Riordan

John K Riordan — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 23:23:45 +0000

Tagle would be a fine Pope. I’ve been researching him for more than a week and I like everything about him. His lack of experience as a Cardinal and with the Curia are serious, not insurmountable, obstacles. A pope who has been archbishop less than two years and a cardinal only a few months could not be tarred with responsibility for the church’s sex abuse problems. Spengler’s analysis is sound. Tagle wants to help Asia discover the Asianess of Jesus. This project bodes well for both Jewish-Christian relations and Orthodox-Catholic relations. Paul Seaton, Tagle has been criticized for his ‘rupture’ position in The History of Vatican II. However, he’s much closer in thinking to Benedict now, as he discusses in a video interview with Salt+Light’s Witness series. You will find scores of videos by this effective speaker on YouTube. A smiling, joyous, humble man who cries easily in public and occasionally excoriates ecclesiastical arrogance–what a refreshing change! John Paul in his vigor, John XXIII and the Dali Lama rolled into one. A young man from a youthful church. Go, Chito!

By: Patrick Langrell

Patrick Langrell — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 20:41:19 +0000

There may be a lot to be said for a young pope, in the same way that there may be a lot to be said for a black pope, or an Asian pope or something else. But, cardinal electors are more likely to take these things into consideration than just pure faithful charisma and youth: the job is universal, hard, messy and wonderful. They’ll need someone who is therefore capable to do what is necessary in the Curia (or more likely, able to appoint someone who they trust and will) and able to be a universal pastor.