1

MESSAGE

I welcome with great joy and appreciation the appointment and installation of Most Rev. Luis Antonio
G. Tagle, D.D., as archbishop of Manila. Undoubtedly, Archbishop Chito brings to Manila all the
virtues and qualities of a good shepherd, father of priests, preacher to the faithful that were (and
continue still to be) the blessings of the people he served as Bishop of Imus.

The hunger for Jesus—his love, peace and wisdom—resides in the recesses of everyone’s heart. It is a
yearning that is tied to life itself, and it is its appeasement that guides our journey to the Father, for in
Him we will all find rest. Archbishop Chito brings himself to his new assignment, the same one that
pastured the flock in Imus for close to 10 years. And what Archbishop Chito is is a priest, a bishop
who finds the Lord at every crucial turn in his life. “Dominus est!” His motto exclaims. “It is the
Lord,” in the face of every man, woman and child, rich or poor, fit or sick, whole or broken, whom he
encounters.

I share the happiness and gratefulness of all in the Archdiocese of Manila for the gift of Archbishop
Chito. I am certain in my heart that he will bring Jesus to all. May you be ready and willing to accept
him and Jesus whom he brings, into your lives.

God bless you all!

+GAUDENCIO B. CARDINAL ROSALES, D.D.

Archbishop Emeritus of Manila

1
MESSAGE MESSAGE

APOSTOLIC NUNCIATURE ARCHDIOCESE OF CEBU

Manila, Philippines Office of the Archbishop

On behalf of H.E. Most Rev. Giuseppe Pinto, it is an honor and It is my joy and privilege to extend to Archbishop-
a pleasure for me to convey the Apostolic Nunciature’s heartfelt elect Luis Antonio Tagle and to the Archdiocese of
felicitations to His Excellency Most Rev. Antonio G. Tagle, the priests, Manila, Cebu’s cordial felicitations and assurances of
the religious, and the lay faithful of the Archdiocese of Manila. prayers on the occasion of Bishop Chito’s installation as
Archbishop of Manila, our mother Archdiocese.
A Bishop continues the mission of the Apostles, preaching, teaching,
and building up communities of those who believe in Jesus; nourishing Our solidarity in thanksgiving to God for the gift
them with the spiritual means necessary for their life, and introducing to of a shepherd for Manila is manifested also in our
them the power that comes from the Gospel of Love. appreciation to the Holy Father, Benedict XVI for
appointing Archbishop Tagle to minister to our
Certainly, Archbishop Tagle is someone who worthily takes on this country’s prime Archdiocese. We are hopeful that the
sacred role. He is a man of prayer, a committed and generous pastor, new Archbishop becomes truly the “visible principle
a formator and educator, a Father in God, entirely dedicated to the and foundation of unity” as he ministers in a unique
Church that he has loved and served faithfully for years. and visible way the role of teacher, shepherd and high
priest acting in the person of Jesus (LG 21). We pray that in his person, the people will experience God’s
While he is the envy of priests and faithful of many other dioceses, Archbishop Tagle remains to be a humble person.
promise: “I myself will look after and tend my sheep. As a shepherd tends his flock when he finds himself
He makes us recall what St. Charles Borromeo once said about the ministers of the Church: “Better and laudable
among the scattered sheep, so I myself will tend my sheep (Ez 34:11-12).” We pray he becomes the
than competition and contention, it would be worthier of the good servants of the Lord to seek to toil principally for
harbinger of hope for Manila in our time.
His praise and honor and for the welfare of the people” (Charles Borromeo, Letter to Niccolo Ormaneto, 6 January
1565).
Yet we know that the growth of the Church depends not only on the Bishops: “he needs the collaboration
of the whole community, not only, although chiefly, of priests and deacons…and also of the other
The Archdiocese of Manila is truly fortunate to have him as its new Archbishop.
faithful. For these latter, in virtue of a general priesthood, are called to take part in the common
apostolate in the Church and to cooperate seriously with their pastors under the guidance, or even the
As he assumes courageously the responsibilities expected of him as the Ordinary of the See of Manila, Archbishop
authority, of the bishop (AA10).”
Tagle can be sure of the Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI’s utmost confidence and trust.
Through the years Manila has been blessed with holy, zealous and charismatic shepherds. It is our hope
The mission he has said “yes” to is not easy. Yet, he can be confident that with the help of God’s grace and the filial
that with the new servant-leader in Archbishop Tagle, Manila will continue to grow as a community of
collaboration of the Manileños, His Divine Plan will surely be brought to completion.
life and love.
May the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Immaculate Conception, always keep Archbishop Chito Tagle and all God’s
children in Manila within her mantle of love.
+JOSE S. PALMA, D.D.
My sincere best wishes! Mabuhay! Archbishop of Cebu
President
Rev. Monsignor GABOR PINTER Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines
Charge d’ Affaires, a.i., Apostolic Nunciature
4 November 2011, Feast of St. Charles Borromeo

2 3
MESSAGE MESSAGE

Changing the Servant of the Gospel of Jesus Christ

His Excellency Most Rev. Luis Antonio G. Tagle, D.D
the new Archbishop of Manila
On October 13, 2011, His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI appointed
His Excellency Most Rev. Luis Antonio G. Tagle as the new
Archbishop of Manila. Archbishop Tagle was born in Manila
on April 21, 1957 and was ordained priest on February 27, 1982
at Imus, Cavite. After 19 years of Pastoral Ministry, working in
diverse assignments as pastor, rector of the seminary, professor,
spiritual animator of retreats and recollections, consultant, resource
person and a member of the Pontifical International Theological
Consortium, he was consecrated and installed as the third Bishop of
the Diocese of Imus on December 12, 2001.

It is a delicate mission that awaits the new Archbishop because Manila is not only the Mother and Center of the
Roman Catholic Church in the Philippines, but also the missionary heart of Asia. A great task and challenge is
opened to the Archdiocese, with the call of the Holy Father to assiduously and seriously embark on the Program
of the New Evangelization. In response, the closing of the 3rd Manila Archdiocesan General Pastoral Assembly
(MAGPAS) last October 22, 2011, with its theme on The New Evangelization and the Apostolic Vision of Manila,
launched the Archdiocese towards the direction it hopes to pursue for the renewal of Christian life as pointed out for
us by Pope Benedict XVI.
Archbishop Chito fits very well into this mission on account of his vast involvement in the on-going formation and
social action programs in Manila. He has animated countless retreats and given talks to priests, religious and laity
in Manila. In fact, he prepared the revised version of the Position Paper for the 2nd Provincial Council of Manila
(PCM II, August 1-15, 1996). Not only is he a living and authentic witness to the call of the 2nd Plenary Council of
the Philippines (PCP II, January 2- February 17, 1991) for the Church to become truly a Church of the Poor and a
Community of Disciples: he shares with the outgoing Archbishop, Cardinal Gaudencio B. Rosales the passion for the
Theology of the Crumbs concretized in Pondo ng Pinoy.
We are happy to receive the new pastor of the Archdiocese of Manila in the person
of Most Reverend Luis Antonio G. Tagle, DD. The coming of a new pastor is always
a sign of continuous care of Christ for his Church. The Lord never ceases to provide
shepherds to guide his sheep. We, on our part in the Archdiocese of Manila, submit
ourselves to the guidance of the new pastor because in faith we believe that Christ
Jesus acts through his shepherds. Our hearts are full of gratitude for the care that His
Eminence Gaudencio B. Cardinal Rosales, DD, has given to our local church for the
past eight years. We are confident that Archbishop Tagle will continue this service of
leadership to our local Church. We promise our new pastor our fervent prayers and our
continuous support.

He is no stranger in the Archdiocese, neither is he a transient visitor anymore. He is now a veritable Manileño,
bringing with him all the natural and spiritual gifts God has amply endowed him with, as well as the wealth of
Asian and International contacts and experiences he wholeheartedly shared in, to deepen and fulfill the role of the
Philippine Church “in making the Philippines truly a light for the evangelization of the Asian continent. (BI JP II, +MOST REV. BRODERICK S. PABILLO, D.D.
2004). Upon his installation, then, Archbishop Tagle has also become a Servant of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, for the Auxiliary Bishop of Manila
Hope of Manila, the Philippines, Asia and the World (BI, JP II Pastores Gregis, Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation
on the Bishop, Servant of the Gospel of Jesus Christ for the Hope of the World, October 16, 2003).

The Office of the Auxiliary of Manila, Most Rev. Bernardino C. Cortez, together with the Priest-Formators and
Seminarians of the different Seminaries in the Archdiocese, MASSFI, LAYFORCE, ICAM, RCAM-ES, welcome
and wish Archbishop Chito Tagle a fruitful ministry. We promise him our filial and fraternal obedience and
cooperation.

In Christo Domino,

+BP. BERNARDINO C. CORTEZ, D.D.

Auxiliary Bishop of Manila

4 5
 Reliving a decade-old experience so they (the Vatican) were expecting a report – which I had
not yet finished – and I had already been getting a lot of
The next day at the Tahanan ng Mabuting Pastol Seminary, reminders about it.”
where he was then rector and which he thought would always
be home, he received the call asking for a direct response to True enough, there was a letter from Rome regarding that.
what had been asked of him the day before at the Nunciature. But the Papal couriers were also bearers of other news.
And that’s when the tears came. And with this, they were quite direct. “The Holy Father has
appointed you Archbishop of Manila.”

Most
MostRev.
Rev.Luis Antonio G. Tagle
Bishop Chito allows his mind and spirit to travel back almost
Luis Antonio G. Tagle a decade to that day, to relive the experience. To better Recounting the moment as best he can, the Bishop of Imus
understand the thoughts and emotions coursing through him says he had a sense of his mind going numb after hearing

This
ThisIsIsThe
this time – perhaps to find, as he did then, the strength and those words. He vaguely recalls waiting for a question,
The courage to trust in the Lord who sends him. and when it did not come, “I was the one who asked: ‘And
how much time is the Holy Father giving me to think about

Archbishop
Archbishop OfOf Manila
Manila “It had never crossed my mind, in the first place, that I would this?’”
ever be a bishop. Ten years ago, the first thing that came to my
“The Holy Father has already appointed you.” He heard
By Jesselynn G. De la Cruz
By Jesselynn G. De la Cruz mind was: this is not my preparation. I was a teacher and I
love teaching. If I did not see myself as material for the See in the words – but louder than that, the reality behind the
my diocese, how could I even think of going to Manila?” words. The appointment was done, and “it seemed it was
just a matter of making me go and observe the procedure
This time, there were two officials who came to see him of the church.”
at the Bishop’s House adjacent to the Cathedral in Imus,
Cavite. Although he had continued to reside at the Tahanan Searching for words to describe the thoughts and feelings
ng Mabuting Pastol after his ordination to the Episcopacy that raced through him immediately after the meaning of
and installation as Bishop of Imus on December 12, 2001, that statement had sunken in, the man whom many know
he maintained office at the Bishop’s House. And it was there as a great communicator described instead how he received
news similar to this ten years ago.

H
where he met the two secretaries of the Apostolic Nuncio on
is October 7, 2011.
is eyes cloud over
eyes cloud over and
and glisten
glisten with
with unshed
unshed cab
In afrom the airport
cab from the next
the airport the day,
nexthe longed
day, for a reason
he longed to
for a reason Recounting how he wept then, the tears come again. He
tears
tears as easily as they light up ataahappy
as easily as they light up at happy start heading for home, the Tahanan ng Mabuting
to start heading for home, the Tahanan ng Mabuting Pastol Pastol in
thought Again, this was nothing out of the ordinary, and in fact he had brushes them away, though unashamed that eyes have
thought or or aa flash
flash of
of insight.
insight. But
Butchinky
chinky Tagaytay
in Tagaytay City, instead
City, of the
instead of Nunciature. But But
the Nunciature. traffic was light
traffic was revealed what is in his heart.
eyes a fairly good idea of what it was about. When they called to
eyes cannot hold back for long the
cannot hold back for long the drops
drops so he lost his excuse to skip a trip to Taft Avenue
light so he lost his excuse to skip a trip to Taft Avenue in Manila.
in
that say they were coming over, the two officials had mentioned
that roll
roll down
down flushed
flushed cheeks,
cheeks, any
any more
more than Manila.
than that they would be bringing communications from the Vatican. “I don’t know whether this is a sin against the Holy Spirit,”
they they can keep
can keep the laughter
the laughter that that occasionally
occasionally dances
dances out out
of This was nothing out of the ordinary. He knew what the
he almost whispers, as through the tears a smile touches his
of This was most certainly about a long overdue report.
crinkled corners and touches off a hearty chuckle or a adeep
crinkled corners and touches off a hearty chuckle or summons was about
This was nothing out– of
another assignment
the ordinary. from the
He knew Vatican.
what the eyes once again, “but I have not even reconciled myself to
deep
belly belly
laugh.laugh. Perhaps to study and report on some theological issue,
summons was about – another assignment from the Vatican. or to
“I am the apostolic visitator of Papua New Guinea and the being a bishop. And then now, Archbishop of Manila? Ay
draft a paper for Rome.
Perhaps to study and report on some theological issue, or to
His Solomon Islands,” he explains, “and I had been there last year, naku, ano ba’ng joke yan?”
His hand
hand flies
flies quickly, unabashedly, to
quickly, unabashedly, to push aside his
push aside his glasses
glasses draft a paper for Rome.
and brush away the tears. The narration seems to
and brush away the tears. The narration seems to havehave There had been many such requests and instructions
conjured
conjured up
up aa memory,
memory, and
and with
withititthe
theemotions
emotionsof ofan
anevent
event over
Therethehad
past fewmany
been months in requests
such connection andwith his workover
instructions as the
aa decade gone by.
decade gone by. apast
member of the International Theological Commission.
few months in connection with his work as a member
Enough for him to beTheological
of the International jokingly brash in remarking
Commission. to thefor
Enough
Bishop Luis Antonio
Bishop Luis Antonio “Chito”
“Chito” G.
G. Tagle
Tagle relives
relives the
the moment
moment ofof charge d’affaires of the Nunciature, “Please tell Cardinal
him to be jokingly brash in remarking to the charge d’affairs
being
being “stunned, lost and – honestly? – like being inaastraight-
“stunned, lost and – honestly? – like being in straight- Ratzinger to stop thinking
of the Nunciature, “Pleaseuptellnew theological
Cardinal problems.
Ratzinger to stopHe
jacket.”
jacket.” HeHe recalls
recalls living
livingthat
thatday
daythrough
througha ahaze,
haze,with some
with some is giving me so much work and I am getting tired
thinking up new theological problems. He is giving me of all this
so
moments
moments of stark clarity, when he could otherwise havebeen
of stark clarity, when he could otherwise have been studying.”
much work and I am getting tired of all this studying.”
thinking
thinking straight,
straight,reducing
reducinghim himinstead
insteadtotoquiet
quietweeping.
weeping.
Msgr.
Msgr. Robinson Wijesinghe smiled
Robinson Wijesinghe smiledbut
butdid
didnot
notpick
pickup uphis
It
It was
was the
the day
dayafter
afteraavisit
visittotothe
theApostolic
ApostolicNunciature,
Nunciature,where
where his bantering tone. “Well, the Holy Father has a new
bantering tone. “Well, the Holy Father has a new theological
in
in the space of a few minutes one evening inOctober
the space of a few minutes one evening in October2001,
2001, theological
problem forproblem for you
you to study,” hetosaid
study,” he said
seriously. seriously.
“He is
his
his world
world turned
turned upside
upside down.
down. “He
appointing you to be the Bishop of Imus. What doWhat
is appointing you to be the Bishop of Imus. do
you think
you think
of this?” of this?”
He
He had
had just
just flown
flown inin from
from Cebu
Cebu where
wherehe hehad
hadgiven
givenaatalk
talkat
aatVisayas pastoral assembly. Before the talk,
a Visayas pastoral assembly. Before the talk, he hadhe had received This
This was
was one
one “theological
“theological problem” the brilliant
problem” the brilliant theological
theological
areceived
phone call from call
a phone the charge
from thed’affaires of the Apostolic
charge d’affaires of the mind could not grapple with just then. “I think I
mind could not grapple with just then. “I think I was was just
just
Nunciature, who requested him
Apostolic Nunciature, who requested himto come over to theover to
to come able
able to tell him, ‘No, I do not want to be a bishop. IIwant
to tell him, ‘No, I do not want to be a bishop. want to
to
A bemedalled student.
residence of the
the residence of Nuncio
the Nuncioas soon as heasarrived
as soon in Manila.
he arrived In a
in Manila. go home.’”
go home.’”

6 7
6

With his family at his diacoral ordination (center) and fellow seminarians (left and right)
That is vintage Chito Tagle. Profoundly expressive and
animated in his preaching, yet starkly simple and candid in
his ways. Intensely serious in his approach to his ministry and
work, yet self-effacing, almost droll in his regard of self.
And indeed, if one were to go by his earliest impression – and
what would evolve to be the ideal he continues to hold – of
the ministry of the priesthood, then it’s easy to understand the
sense his gets that he is the object of a Divine Joke.
Original inspiration for the priesthood
Growing up literally in the shadows of the Cathedral
– because the family home was just at the corner facing
cathedral courtyard – the young Chito was a member of
the Columban Squires, whose chaplain was the pastor of
Our Lady of the Pillar Parish in Imus. When the chaplain,
Fr. Reddy Corpuz, was transferred to the Sto. Niño Parish
in Ternate, the young Squires whom he had formed and
mentored saw him off to his new assignment.
“I did not see it at the time, but now I realize that this was my
original inspiration for entering the seminary,” Archbishop-
Elect Tagle muses. “We brought Father Corpuz to Ternate,
and there I saw the poverty of the place. The people were
living on fishing, and they were really hard up. The convent
was run-down and the church was just a big chapel. I
remember thinking, ‘Why are you doing this? Why would you want
this? What would you get out of it?’… And that hit me. How this
young priest could, in a way, ‘waste his life’ serving God in
this poor place. I admired him for that, and I realized how
selfless he was and how noble was his work. I was in third
year high school then, and that was a religious experience. It
had such a great impact on me and I wanted to be that (kind
of a man).”
Ironically, the man he credits for having planted the ideal of
priestly ministry in his head was never into active vocation
promotion – at least it didn’t seem so at the time. “I once
showed him a leaflet that the CICM priests had distributed
8 9
Coming home to Imus Upon returning, he reported to the Diocesan
Administrator then, Msgr. Pedro Arigo (now the Bishop of
“My bishop set only one condition,” he says, “no home leave. Puerto Princesa), who re-appointed him to the seminary to
I could come back only when I had completed my doctorate.” resume his life of teaching and formation.
So with full trust and obedience, the young priest devoted full
time to school work, under the tutelage of the theologian Fr. Until that fateful day in 2001, which now seems to have
Joseph Komonchak, and finished his studies in 1992. foreshadowed another similar day just this October –
leading him to a wider vineyard, but one in which he hopes
He shares a poignant episode from this chapter of his life. He to be able to continue his service of teaching. And he
had defended his doctoral dissertation by December 1991, but explains how this will possibly impact his stewardship of
since the school year was not to start until June, Bishop Perez Manila.
allowed him to extend his stay in the United States.
“I am a trained teacher, so I talk a lot, and I read a lot.
“I taught in Trinity College in Washington D.C. for one Not just test papers – I read minds. That’s one thing you
semester, while editing the final draft of my dissertation for acquire as a teacher,” he says. “But also as a teacher, your
publication. I was able to complete all the requirements by main focus is transformation – the transformation of the
February and on the 28th – I remember the date distinctly mind and of the heart. That’s your whole training and
to us boys in school, but he told me not to think about that,
because February 27 is the anniversary of my ordination to orientation. And that I will not be able to remove from
because I was too young.”
the priesthood – I got a call from the Dean’s Office of the myself. My end goal will always be transformation and
Department of Religious Education. They told me, ‘You have conversion.”
Father Corpuz was not to know that the message he did
complied with all the requirements so now you are officially a
not impart in words to the young Chito, was in fact the
Doctor of Sacred Theology. You may call your bishop.’” If taking over administration of the premier Archdiocese in
witnessing of his life. “That experience of the poor was a
the Philippines now seems so distant and so complex from
turning point for me. That was my original idea of what it
Eager to break the news to Bishop Perez himself, he spent the his original image and ideal of his ministry, it is still with
means to be a priest – and the kind of priest I wanted to be.”
rest of the day trying to reach the Bishop’s residence in Imus, the same spirit of trust and obedience that he goes.
but he could not get through. By evening – morning of the 29th
How that would come about was not clear even to him,
in the Philippines – he received word from Imus: Bishop Perez “It is a mission, and a mission that will require simplicity
however, because entering the seminary was a thought that
had passed away that day. and truth. It will require a lot of purification on my part, so
had never occurred to him all through his elementary and
it will also require a lot of admission of my weaknesses, of
high school years at St. Andrew’s School in Paranaque City.
“I was really devastated. I was crying out: But you sent me to my simpleness, so that God can work better through me.”
His inclination, and the family’s expectations for him, had
study, and I did it. I completed my mission, and now, where
always been towards medical school. But a curious twist of
are you? To whom will I go?” Will he change Manila, or will Manila change him?
fate brought him to the Jesuits’ San Jose Seminary, where he
completed his Philosophy and Theology studies by 1982.
He did not get exactly what he wanted – at least not totally.
After ordination to the priesthood for the Diocese of Imus
on February 27, 1982, he was appointed assistant pastor of
the St. Augustine Parish in Mendez. He would have been
happy to spend years in a parochial assignment in one of
the poorer rural parishes of the diocese, living out his ideal
image of the ministry, but his bishop, Bp. Felix Perez, gave
him a concurrent assignment as spiritual director of the
diocesan seminary. Here he discovered a love and passion for
teaching, which was honed even more when, after the rector
fell ill, he was appointed acting rector only a year after his
own graduation. He was eventually appointed rector of the
Tahanan ng Mabuting Pastol Seminary.
Had it been up to him, he would have been happy and
fulfilled enough with a parish assignment and a teaching load
in the seminary. But his Bishop had other ideas, and in 1985,
he was sent to pursue graduate studies in Sacred Theology
at the Catholic University of America in Washington D.C.
Training and formation along this path was set for him by
Bishop Perez and his Jesuit seminary mentor, Fr. Catalino G. His ordination to the priesthood by Bishop Felix Perez, and with his family
Arevalo, S.J.
 A speaker at an international
Theological conference.
“So it is not the position but the love of the Lord that the
disciple should possess. There will be many nights of
fruitless work, fruitless catch. But it is consoling that in those
moments, the Lord is there. You just have to discover, in a
loving way, where he wants you to cast the net.

“Could it be that the work is futile because I insist on my way?

In that sense, it was the beloved disciple who taught Peter, the
one in the highest position, ‘ Dominus est.’ Recognizing that
it is the Lord draws attention away from us. The real mission
is to point people to the Lord.”

This is the Archbishop of Manila.

With his family at his episcopal ordination.

“If there is any change that will happen, hopefully it is a “I feel the weight of this. So I sought time for prayer and His Excellency
change that I become more simple, more truthful, more reflection, and in talking to people. Their message has been Most Reverend LUIS ANTONIO GOKIM TAGLE
human, more reachable. That I could cry with people, that I constant – Chito, your person is what counts. You are the one Birth: 21 June 1957 1983-1984 1992-1995
could laugh with people. called and your person is the gift being called. That gives me Place: Manila Acting Rector Instructor of Theology
Parents: Manuel Tagle Tahanan ng Mabuting Pastol Maryhill School of Theology (Manila)
a lot of peace. That I be open to recognize the gift that is in Mila Gokim Tagaytay City
“As Church, there will be a lot of continuity here. No matter me, as I rely also on other with gifts, and learn from them. Brother: Manuel Jr. 1994-2001
who the archbishop is, it is the same Gospel truth and the 1984-1985 Facilitator
Priesthood: 27 February 1982 Rector CBCP National Ongoing Formation of
same Church teachings that we will proclaim. But we are “While there has been, for me, a lived experience of Manila, Place: Our Lady of Pillar Cathedral, Imus, Tahanan ng Mabuting Pastol Priests
different individuals, and so no matter we do, we carry who I know that this time may be different. What do I expect? Cavite Tagaytay City
we are. So in the same way that the same Gospel message is 1995-2001
I’m waiting for that. My expectation is the moment of Episcopate: 12 December 2001 1992-present Consultant
preached in the pulpit according to the style of the different revelation that I want to see for myself. Although truthfully, Place: Our Lady of Pillar Cathedral, Imus, Rector Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the
preachers then I therefore will have to carry that Gospel Cavite
I feel the weight of responsibility, I am also expecting Tahanan ng Mabuting Pastol Philippines (CBCP)
message to address issues within the Church and outside, the Education Tagaytay City Commission on Doctrine of Faith
to see opportunities for service and evangelization. I Commission on Seminaries
way Chito Tagle is. I have to be at home with who I am. know there will be many changes and adjustments. But 1963-1969 1993-2000
Elementary: St Andrew School Member 1995-present
I am conditioning myself more towards discovering the Board of Consultors and Presbyteral Council Member
“I have to be aware, in the way others are, of what my Parañaque City
opportunities. I am put there to serve as the bishop and so I of the Diocese of Imus Editorial Board
capacities, my limitations, my gifts are. And so I will have to must be sensitive to the opportunities for service. Even if at 1970-1973 Storia del Concilia Vaticano II, Instituto per
challenge myself in terms of maximizing the gifts that are High School: St Andrew School 1993-2000 le scienze religiose
first blush they might appear as problems, let me discover the Parañaque City Episcopal Vicar for Religious Bologna, Italy
mine, and learning also from other people, especially my opportunities for service. It is the only way, otherwise you
predecessors. That is why introspection, self-criticism and 1974-1977 1993-1995 1995-2000
will be daunted and overwhelmed.” Philosophy: Ateneo de Manila University and Member Presenter and Member of the Drafting
prayer are all needed. Even as you seek to evangelize others, San Jose Seminary Diocesan Commission on the Clergy Committee
as a bishop, you need to evangelize yourself.” And yet again, as he found in it strength and courage when VI and VII Plenary Assembly of the
1978-1982 1993-1995 Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences
first he received the bishop’s staff, he recounts the Easter Theology: Ateneo de Manila University and Member (FABC)
Your person is what counts apparition of Christ to his apostles, the scene from which he San Jose Seminary Diocesan Commission on the Clergy
drew his motto. 1997
1987 1998-2001 Member
On December 12, Luis Antonio G. Tagle will receive Licentiate in Sacred Theology
Parish Priest International Theological Commission
The Catholic University of America
the staff of the shepherd of the flock in the Archdiocese “Peter and six other disciples went out fishing all night, and Washington, D.C. Our Lady of the Pillar Cathedral, Imus, Cavite Vatican City
of Manila. He comes to the clergy and the faithful of they caught nothing. The Lord appeared and they did not 2001-present 1998
1991
Manila not as an official with titles and positions that have recognize him. But he told them to cast the net, and when Doctorate in Sacred Theology Bishop of Imus Expert
necessarily been attached to the scholarly work that he has they did it, there was a miraculous catch. And then the The Catholic University of America Special Assembly of the Synod of Bishops
Washington, D.C. Other Ministries for Asia
been doing for the Church. Not with the rich and superlative beloved disciple said, ‘It is the Lord.’ Vatican City
descriptions and adjectives with which writers hope to Ministerial Background 1982-1985 Member
Instructor of Theology Ordinary Council of the General Secretariat
capture the essence of who he is. “It is not Peter, who held the highest position, who recognized 1982-1984 San Carlos Seminary (Manila) of the Synod of Bishops
the Lord, but an unknown disciple – we presume it is John. Associate Pastor Loyola School of Theology (Manila) Vatican City
He comes as a priest who continues to hold on to his original St. Augustine Parish Divine Word Seminary (Tagaytay)
It had a powerful impact on me, and continues to remind Mendez, Cavite Present
ideal of the priesthood – going to where the Lord sends him, me, as I am appointed bishop, that it is not the position that 1992-present Chairman
to “waste time” serving the poor people He loves. Whether makes you see the Lord. As it is not the position that will 1982-1983 Instructor of Theology Episcopal Commission on the
Spiritual Director Loyola School of Theology (Manila) Doctrine of Faith
that be in a small town parish in his home diocese or in an make me effective preacher of the word of God. It is the Tahanan ng Mabuting Pastol Divine Word Seminary (Tagaytay)
entire Archdiocese watched by the rest of the world. humble love of a disciple that recognizes Jesus in the stranger. Tagaytay City

10 11
 ‘How fortunate the Philippine Church is!’
present in him.
The first, learned surely at home,
fostered perhaps by some Ignatian
influence in his formation, the
generosity with which he so readily
gives of his time, of his energies,-
- so readily gives of himself. We must
mention this, I believe, because we
must ask people to have concern for his
health and well-being, -- which he does
not seem to pay due attention to. (Give
him time for needed rest!)
And the second gift? The gift of light-
heartedness and humor, which has
brought him so close to his people and
the multitude of his friends, and which
keeps the light of joy shining wherever
he is.
Our new Archbishop brings with him
to his “shepherding” of the Lord’s
flock in Manila, his growing-up years
[In this “official Installation-event booklet”, at the Editor’s request, a few random in the heart of an authentically and
By Rev. Fr. Catalino G. Arevalo, S.J. devoutly Catholic Filipino family in
thoughts on the “taking-over moment” from an old teacher might have a place.]
Imus. He is perhaps the first Manila
both parents still living and still “quite
strong”: Mr. Manuel Tagle and Mila
Gokim Tagle, both professionals,
and a younger brother who lives in
Maryland (USA). -- Regarding his
studies, from St Andrew’s excellent
CICM-run parish school in Parañaque,
through eight years at the Jesuit
Ateneo de Manila University (San
Jose Seminary and Loyola School of
Theology), completed by his top-quality
work for the doctorate in Systematic
Theology at the Catholic University of
America (Washington DC) are detailed
elsewhere in this booklet. (His academic
record, uniformly marked by superior
achievement, needs no spelling-out at
this point.)
Sometime after his recent appointment
to Manila by Pope Benedict XVI,
Bishop Tagle remarked to some friends,
giving reasons for the “trepidation”
with which he accepted his new post in
the Church: “The only task for which I
was duly prepared for, is the teaching of
all the rest he has had to be and do as
Bishop, he had to learn “caminando”,
through “real life practice”.
But as to the “teaching--and
practicing!--of theology, perhaps it
is not without significance that at the
present time, the supreme pontiff
of the Catholic Church is “perhaps
the most thoroughly and profoundly
developed intellectual to hold the
See of Rome since Pope Innocent
III in the 12th century, and arguably
the best 20th century theologian of
the Catholic Church of the past fifty
years,” a claim made by some scholars
of unquestioned competence, -- one
of them a much-honored professor
of history and culture at Princeton
University, a Jewish-American
savant. Too, the present Archbishop
of Canterbury, head Bishop of the
Anglican Church, Rowan Wllliams, is
also a truly outstanding theologian and
preacher. -- Should we not ask, is the
Holy Spirit not somehow “involved” in

L
et me begin by quoting some
lines from the “graduate
studies and thesis mentor/
director” of Archbishop
Luis Antonio Tagle at the Catholic
University of America (Washington,
D.C.).
When Fr. Joseph A. Komonchak, -
- regarded in theological circles as
perhaps the top ecclesiologist (specialist
on the theological understanding of
the Church) in the English-speaking
Roman Catholic theologians’
community, -- heard of Archbishop
Tagle’s appointment by the Holy
Father to head the Archdiocese of
Manila, he quickly sent the following
lines to the Commonweal magazine
blog on the internet:
“… I simply want to share my joy
at the appointment of Bishop Luis
Antonio Tagle to be Archbishop of
Manila. “Chito,” as he is everywhere
known, was my student at Catholic
University and completed his
dissertation under my direction. He
was one of the best students I had in
over forty years of teaching, but as
intelligent and diligent as he was, he
was perhaps better known and loved
by his professors and by his fellow
students for the simplicity and holiness
of his life.
He could have become the best
theologian in the Philippines, or even
in all of Asia, if he had been given
the opportunity, but in his country
the demands for the kind of teaching
and preaching that he can offer are
so many, that a man of his talents will
never have much time for reading
and writing. And then he was made
a bishop, something he never sought,
and had to be persuaded was a call
from the Church that he really should
not refuse. When that happened, I
thought to myself, ‘Well, perhaps,
some day he may be moved to
Manila.’
He became more widely known
because of the catechesis on the
Eucharist that he offered at the
Archbishop who comes to its See with theology.” Meaning, we suppose, that these choices?
Eucharistic Congress [in Quebec] in
2009. . . . And he has been making
use of YouTube to spread the Word.
...God bless him. The Church in the
Philippines is very fortunate!”
The way Fr Komonchak speaks of
Archbishop “Chito” here gives us as
good a “thumbnail portrait” of his
person as we can readily find: the
quality and potential of his mind as
scholar and theologian, his dedication
to the craft assigned to him, how his
teachers and peers regarded him.
Fr Komonchak speaks of Fr. Tagle’s
“simplicity and holiness of life”
and the hope and expectation of
those who knew him that he would
eventually be given the responsibility
in the Church in our country which
Pope Benedict has now placed on his
shoulders.
There are two gifts which mark
Archbishop Tagle’s heart and
spirit which have not been (at least
not explicitly) touched on by Fr
Komonchak, but which are singularly

12 13

We are living at a time of change,
unparalleled in breadth, radicality
and rapidity; we are living in a world
involved in massive cultural mutations
and developments, an ongoing situation
which the Christian Faith-and-Life
(and all religious faith-and-life, for that
matter!) is challenged to encounter,
engage with, and (tasks of tasks for the
Church) truly proclaim the Gospel
to! This labor the Church is called on
to undertake with an understanding
and creativity that would “make near-
impossible demands even on the Holy
Spirit!” (as a church historian recently
remarked, not entirely humorously).
This (once again) “massive transition”
– in meanings and values, in lifestyle
and behavior, -- is now moving in our
own country with increasing force and
14
in swiftly widening extent –
especially among the young
people in our cities.
We need a leadership
(for sure, first of all) in the
Catholic Church which
can grasp the change-
and-changes taking place
(again, especially among
the young) and discern the
shape and moves of the
“new evangelization” which
must be undertaken in our
time (again, especially for
the young). Popes John
Paul II and Benedict XVI
have been increasingly
calling attention to the
urgency of this “new
evangelization” – especially
for the West, true, but also
– with some differences, in
other regions of the world.
Pope Benedict has created
a new “dicastery” (cabinet-
rank council) precisely
to study, understand and
spell out what this new
endeavor calls for. Surely,
in Pope Benedict’s choice
of Archbishop Tagle,
--regarded as one of the “foremost
theologians” in the hierarchy in Asia
[cf. Fr Komonchak’s remarks, above],
-- this concern for the Church vis-à-vis
“the emerging new world” in our land
and in Asia, played a not-insignificant
role. A new generation of bishops
in the Philippines and in Asia has,
increasingly, to see this new imperative
-- under the guidance of the Spirit
-- as its foremost challenge. What this
“the new evangelization” will demand
the Church and the local churches in
Asia to labor at, in the decades ahead,
these bishops – they themselves, in
communion with Rome and their own
church-communities, -- must patiently
and wisely discern and work out in their
own contexts, -- surely not an easy task,
one which the Churches in our part of
the world will find as an unaccustomed
assignment, “something quite new and
difficult”!
But this is not the time and place for
going into all this. No, now we celebrate
the truly hope-filled and joy-filled
moment which this year’s fiesta of Our
Lady of Guadalupe (12 December ) is,
for all of us. Archbishop Tagle thanks
the One Good Shepherd for the ten
years completed, as Bishop of Imus.
We will remember that he was ordained
Bishop on 12 December 2001. Ten
years have swiftly gone by, ten years of
so much blessing for the Imus Catholic
community, of such fruitful learning and
growing together, of so much building-
up and “outreaching” and compassion,
of so much care and concern for the
poor, of so much mutual sharing of life
and love. – For the ten great years, Deo
gratias!
Now the new Archbishop, the clergy
and laity of Manila, begin a new chapter
in their common life as Body of Christ
and People of God in this part of our
country. Invoking the supplication of
Mary Mother of the Lord, they earnestly
beg the light and power, the strength
and courage (courage, yes!) that only
the Spirit of Jesus can give them, today
and through the years ahead. Manila,
like it or not, is (even if “unofficially”)
looked to as “primatial” in the Church
in our country; it is expected to lead
us all in many ways. Thus we all pray
that, with Archbishop Tagle now in
their midst, with the Lord graciously
showing the way ahead, the Catholic
community of Manila may help lead
all Filipino Christians to ever fuller and
more committed, ever more operative
lives of faith, hope and love in our
troubled time; that it may help build up
everywhere in our land that “civilization
of justice and love” – foreshadowing of
the Kingdom of God --which the Gospel
of Jesus calls for, making us more and
more truly a renewed Church and nation
“at once more human and more divine.”
Our Good Shepherd, Our Pillar
Rev. Fr. Alain P. Manalo
W
e invoke the blessing of Jesus, the Mabuting
Pastol and the intercession of Our Lady of
the Pillar”.
This is the usual conclusion of Bishop Chito’s official
communications to us, his priests in the Diocese. Perhaps, it
was the same in his letters to the religious and the lay of Imus.
This is understandable because Our Lady of the Pillar is our
Diocesan Patroness and the Diocesan Theologate where
the Bishop was serving as Rector until his appointment as
Archbishop of Manila is named after the Good Shepherd,
Jesus, the Mabuting Pastol.
Now that Bishop Chito is moving to Manila, and as I reflect
on the 10 years of his pastoral ministry as Bishop of Imus, I
am amazed to realize how his ministry to us, his priests, has
been so animated by the spirit of the Good Shepherd and the
mission of Our Lady of the Pillar.
Bishop Chito, in many ways, is a good shepherd to us. I am
sure my brother priests will agree with me on this note. We
have so many stories about him personally caring for each of
us. He loves us and we never doubt that. He knows each of us
personally. And he is always ready to sacrifice for us and for
our ministry.
He is beset with many concerns, yet he gives time to listen
and, many times, simply to be with us, to make us feel valued
and important. How many times have I heard priests and
people telling me that when they are with the Bishop, they
know they matter and they feel they alone matter to him
at that very moment. I experienced this many times; and
in those occasions I would feel afraid that he would miss
his next appointment simply because he was giving me his
whole self that moment that I was with him.
He listens
He talks, and he talks a lot, everyone knows this. But
he listens, too, and he listens so deeply and well. I know
this because when he speaks, he resonates with my joys
and pains. How many times have I come to him feeling
burdened, yet I would leave his presence so much relieved?
And he would be ready to entertain even my questions or
frustrations about him without him defending himself. And
if needed, even if not asked, he would say sorry and ask
forgiveness.
He is there in the morning in our meetings and in the
clergy recollections he loves to give, like a father guiding
his children and feeding them with milk. He is there in the
afternoon, again in our meetings and in many other pastoral
concerns he had to attend to. Any time of the day or night,
he will be in Aguinaldo Highway, in Coastal Road (and now
also in Cavitex) and in many other roads (or airports) to go
from one parish, community or family to another. He allows
himself to be consumed, even literally, by his passion to love
and serve others – at all times. I see that when he can hardly
open his eyes and yet he still comes to meet us and other
people.
15

He is “everywhere”, but there is no single moment that I
feel he is not with us. He always tells us (and assures us)
that he brings with him the Diocese of Imus wherever he
goes. In between schedules, he is in our cellphone screens
with his reminders, questions or information about how he,
The Leader
“consoling” Mother of mission. And Bishop Chito, in many
instances, is also the Nana Pilar in our priestly life and
ministry – also “tough” more than “consoling”.
I remember one experience of serious difficulty in my

our diocese or our brother priests are doing. Not in a few
instances he also “texts back” and casually engages himself
to our “not so serious” concerns, sometimes (or many times)
jokes or funny anecdotes. He is there in the evening singing
to raise funds for our church construction, at midnight in
with a
parish assignment. My immediate desire was to give up, ask
for a transfer or be relieved from my responsibilities. But
Bishop Chito would not give in to my “cries and pains”.
He listened, but did not agree with my gut reaction to
the difficulty. He did not allow me to run away from the

the hospital accompanying a priest breathing his last, at past
midnight listening to the fears of a son-priest, and at dawn
travelling to meet a school benefactor who could only see us
at breakfast. Above all these, he remembers us all in prayer,
dedicating every bead of the rosary to each of his priests
and his concerns.
“Wasting” time for his priests
This I will miss and we will miss – his whole being spent or
simply “wasted” for us, his priests.
But he ministers (or relates) to us also in the spirit of Our
Lady of the Pillar. He always distinguishes Nana Pilar (this
is how we fondly call Our Lady of the Pillar in Imus) as
Mary who came to the beleaguered disciple (St. James the
Great) not to free him from his burdens but to strengthen
Vision
crosses of the ministry. During those times I questioned his
fatherly concern. Those were “dark nights” that the love of
the shepherd seemed to be absent. Honestly, I hated him
then. Yet looking back, I would not be the priest that I am
now if he did not allow me to go through that “tunnel”. Is
it the seminary formator in him who sees the gain in the By Msgr. Hernando Coronel
pain? And is it the Nana Pilar in him when he decides not
to unburden us but all the more “push” us to embrace the
pains of the ministry? Sometimes, he chooses to be absent
and like Our Lady of the Pillar, he comes to his James when
he knows it is the “hour”. He is tough enough to allow us to
mature and grow as priests.
His “Dominus Est” (his motto) is the Pillar (of
cloud or fire) that he provides us in our “deserts”. I learned
to patiently wait and endure because “It is the Lord”. All
things happen in His wisdom and time. I also learned to

him to carry these burdens and fulfill his mission. Mary as
Mother is often seen (and projected) as caring and tender,
one who will make your life sweet and easy. But Nana Pilar
is the Mother who speaks to his son, already tired and
frustrated, telling him to get up, not to give up and continue
carrying out his duties. Nana Pilar is more “tough” than
Archbishop Tagle (right) with Fr. Alain (left)
16
trust and be humble because “It is the Lord”. Everything is
grace. His life and ministry is truly “Dominus Est”, “It is the
Lord”. He allowed us to endure pains and difficulties but not
without him sharing in the burden. He, our “Dominus Est”
is also our Pillar – our “joy and our strength”. (We invoke
Our Lady of the Pillar as “our joy and our strength”.)
I will miss his silence and also his
absence that patiently taught me to
believe and to trust that our Pillar is
the Lord.
In closing, I want to
believe that our dear Bishop Chito,
our good shepherd and our pillar,
is not leaving us. Good shepherd
that he is, he will now look after the
sheep other than us. In the mission
of Our Lady, he will now be with
the disciples other than James.
Meanwhile, it consoles me to know
that he has formed us to be good
shepherds too, and pillars to one
another. (I hope I am right.) Then
we will be shepherds and pillars to
each other. And may this thought
also console him while we are apart.
T
he leadership of His Eminence Gaudencio B.
Cardinal Rosales is rooted in his vision, for as he
has always time and again explained, “leadership
without vision is treason”.
Soon after his appointment as Archbishop of Manila eight
years ago, Cardinal Rosales gathered key representatives of
the archdiocese – from among the clergy, the religious and
the faithful – to reflect on and articulate the vision of the
Archdiocese of Manila: “A people called by the Father in
Jesus Christ to be a community of persons with the Fullness
of Life witnessing to the Kingdom of God by living the
Paschal Mystery in the power of the Holy Spirit with Mary
as companion.”
Having crafted this vision together, he spent the ensuing
years of his ministry striving to explain this vision, even as he
sought to live it out in his own leadership and stewardship of
the flock in Manila.
Every first Saturday of the month, His Eminence has
been elucidating this vision during the regular Manila
Archdiocesan General Pastoral Assembly (MAGPAS). This
vision of fullness of life means the solidarity of the Church
with the poor. And the vision is enfleshed in Pondo ng Pinoy,
a unique program launched in the Archdiocese, which has
inspired and consequently involved many other dioceses
throughout the country.
17

Pondo ng Pinoy is based on the “theology of the crumbs”
as illustrated in the Gospel parable of the rich man and
Lazarus. The Gospel episode teaches that to enter the
Kingdom of God, one needs to work for the fullness of life
of all, especially the marginalized. The rich man was unable
to enter heaven precisely because he did not even give the
crumbs from his dinner table to feed Lazarus.
The program is about taking responsibility for the fullness
of life of all – not only ourselves – constantly. It may be in
little ways – as little as the 25-centavo coin one sets aside
each day to alleviate poverty in his community or within the
entire country. That is the vision as it is hoped to be lived out
by the faithful in the Archdiocese of Manila, inspired by the
leadership of their Cardinal-Shepherd.
In one of his MAGPAS talks, the Cardinal pointed out, “The
vision must be clear! If it is not, it must be clarified, described
and explained. This inescapable task belongs to the leader
who must be encouraged by those who believe and belong
to the same cause of desiring a better life for fellowmen and
18
a unified nation where the ideal remains, ’everyone cares
for absolutely anyone,’ until the ‘fullness of life’ is mutually
shared by all. Leaders must feel that the vision is understood
and desired by all, no one lags behind.”
The Cardinal’s leadership style has been distilled from the
experience of leadership positions since his seminary days.
He entered San Jose Minor Seminary after the Second
World War, pursuing his priestly studies from 1947 to 1951.
Then, he proceeded to the Major Seminary located in La
Ignaciana, Pedro Gil (formerly Herran) Street in Manila
where he studied from1951 to 1958.
He was chosen as class beadle, after which he became the
community beadle, a significant assignment entrusted to him
by the American Jesuits who were forming the seminarians
of San Jose. This leadership position as community beadle
was uniquely special because it encompassed all departments:
philosophy, theology, including the minor seminary. It was
a sensitive and confidential task which involved supervision,
correction, record-keeping of all visitors, and coordination of
activities.
His first awareness of this leadership role involved the
unity of this large community as a seminary family and
the continuity of formation programs of the different
departments. Yes, he was a person in formation, growing
personally in his vocation, but at the same time, he was also
concerned of his fellow seminarians.
The Cardinal was ordained to the priesthood on March 23,
1958 in Lipa City. And early on, his calling as leader precisely
was in the building up of a fraternity of those called by God.
His life as a priest is pastoral leadership in the context of the
Paschal Mystery: the passion, death and resurrection of the
Lord. This is the surrounding milieu of one who serves God
and ministers to others, especially the poor.
In another one of his MAGPAS talks, he explained, “The
training of priests necessarily requires that priests first of all
understand what the Paschal Mystery is and that they should
live this mystery in their own lives, in order that they may be
able to explain and inspire the people entrusted to their care
to accept, undergo and also live ‘these mysterious painful
crossings’ in their lives.
As a young priest, he was faced with the conditions for
leadership; conditions which individuals and community
also face – the human drama. In 1970-1972, the Cardinal
was assigned to a remote village in Banay-Banay. Here the
Cardinal immersed himself in the lives of the people. He
visited practically all of the homes in that village. Till today,
the folks there remember the pastoral visitations of Father
Rosales and how he brought them back to the Church.
This is servant-leadership exercising solidarity,
compassion and sensitivity to Church followers who live
in far-flung areas. The people felt God’s presence was
with them. This is the spirituality of the Sacred Heart:
understanding the plight of the needy. Each parishioner
was led to an experience of how good the Father of Jesus
Christ is!
This defining experience as parish priest of San Vicente
Ferrer, Banay-banay is one story the Cardinal does not
tire retelling. The challenge of leadership in the context
of the paschal mystery is to bring people hope - the hope
of the resurrection. “No matter how long the suffering
is, triumph is sure to come in the proper reckoning of the
Lord,” he has shared many times in his homilies. “But
after suffering ordinarily must precede the advent of
grace, more often unknown to many of us.”
The journey of Cardinal Rosales is a long and illustrious
one. His resumé tells of responsibilities and positions he
held in the Church and how the hand of the Lord has
guided him. From Banay-banay, he became parish priest
of the Church of Immaculate Conception in Batangas
City from 1972 to 1974. He became Auxiliary Bishop
of Manila, District Bishop of East Antipolo Rizal from
1974 to 1980. Then, he was appointed District Bishop of
Manila South from 1980 to 1982 while also serving as
Rector of San Carlos Seminary. He had also concurrent
positions from 1975 to 1982 as National Director of the
Pontifical Mission Aid Societies.
From San Carlos Seminary, his work brought him to
Mindanao and the decade of his ministry there changed
him. From 1982 to 1992, he was bishop of the Diocese
of Malaybalay in Bukidnon. From 1992 to 2003, he was
Archbishop of Lipa. He was appointed Archbishop of
Manila on September 15, 2003 and was elevated to the
Cardinalate on March 24, 2006.
He has had many responsibilities as a member of various
Episcopal commissions and Pontifical councils. The fields
of those commissions focus on the seminary and the
clergy.
The Cardinal encountered a different leadership
approach while he was rector of San Carlos Seminary
and concurrently auxiliary bishop. He recalls that a
bishop once questioned why he needed to meet in
colloquia the seminarians every evening. He replied that
he had a different leadership approach. This was an
occasion for the Cardinal to stand on his own and fulfill
his leadership mandate as best as he understood it.
19
 The vision for the Bukidnon Church preceded that of Lipa
and Manila. In the Cardinal’s published book entitled, THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA
“Fr. Nery and the Church He Died For,” he wrote, “The
apostolic vision stated that the integral development (human As of April 2011
and Christian) of the person meant freeing the individual
and his community from selfish attitudes, values and
structures, including sin, as the root of all evil…there were
the beginnings of a diocesan awareness of the currently Area of territory – 117.23 sq. km
existing levels of environmental injustice within the Local Total Population – 3,005,075
Church.” Catholics – 2,431,105

The death of one of his priests, Fr. Nery Lito Satur because
of his environmental advocacy, awakened in the Cardinal
Ecclesiastical Districts
what dying for one’s principles really meant. The powerful
Vicariates – 13
exploit the defenseless and it is only the Church that can
take up the side of those who have no voice. The Paschal Parishes – 85
Mystery is not something abstract, this was actual death!

In Mindanao, he encountered priests coming from Classification by Administration

the extreme left. So, the Cardinal fostered a deepened Under Diocesan – 58
spirituality among the priests. He gave formation to the Under Religious – 27
clergy and promoted a fraternity in the presbyterium. Later,
this would become an association named Jesus Caritas Pastoral Centers
stressing simplicity, prayer and fidelity to the Gospel. He
Minor Basilica – 1
struggled against radicalism among the clergy.
Minor Basilicas/Parish – 3
His journey has always included immersing himself in Shrines – 3
prayer. Sister Elsa Belen MCST, who has served as his Parishes which are Shrines – 7
secretary, observed, “Before and after an activity, he would Parishes which are not Shrines – 75
spend some moments in prayer. His bedroom is always Quasi Parish Church which is Shrine – 1
near a private chapel so that anytime at night, he can go to Archdiocesan Chapels – 3
the Lord.” Seminary Chapels – 5
Abbeys – 1
His Eminence always emphasized that prayer is “a wheel Other Chapels – 213 (under/within parishes’ jurisdiction)
needed to move the cart we travel on. [This wheel is] woven
into our apostolic vision and how the vision as Trinitarian
Archbishop – 1
can also be approached by way of the Father, the Son and
the Holy Spirit.” This description of prayer as a wheel or Bishops – 2
traveling tool aptly portrays leadership as journey. Diocesan Priests – 236

From Manila, the Cardinal plans to take up residence in Other priests working in the Archdiocese – 412
a retirement home for priests in Lipa City. He hopes to Filipino religious priests – 331
have more time for to pray, read, write, hear confessions Foreign religious priests – 7
of seminarians and give conferences. In the words of Fr. Foreign diocesan priests – 23
Rufino Sescon, Cardinal Rosales is about “credibility and Guest priests from other dioceses in the Philippines – 51
moral ascendancy.”
Number of Religious Institutes
“His leadership is about taking positions regardless whether
these are popular or not, whether people agree with him or Men/Brothers – 31
not.” Women – 54

(This is an excerpt from Msgr. Hernando Coronel’s Secular Institutes – 6

paper originally submitted in his Doctoral Program in Lay Associations/Organizations – 35
Leadership Studies at the Ateneo de Manila University.) Transparochial Communities – 15
Charitable Institutions – 18
(Photos by Noli I. Yamsuan, Jr.)

20 21
 THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA
As of April 2011

Number of Diocesan Seminaries – 5

Minor – 1
Major – 3
Senior – 1

Number of Diocesan Seminarians – 147

Minor – 78
Major – 68
Senior – 5

Number of Catechists – 408

Full time – 208
Volunteers – 200

Number of Catholic Schools – 72

Number of Institutions – 206
Kindergartens – 60
Elementary Schools – 58
High Schools – 61
Higher Institutions/Colleges – 20
University of Ecclesiastical Studies – 1
Faculty for Ecclesiastical Studies not incorporated in a university – 0
Universities for secular studies – 5
Faculty for Secular Studies not incorporated in a university – 1

Number of Enrolled Students – 394,039

Kindergartens – 8,419
Elementary Schools – 49, 503
High Schools – 42, 540
Higher Institutions/Colleges – 117,924
University for Ecclesiastical Studies – 341
Faculty for Ecclesiastical Studies not incorporated in a university – 0
Universities for Secular Studies – 86, 431
Faculty for Secular Studies not incorporated in a university – 210

Sacraments (Year 2010)

Baptisms – 68,195
Confirmations – 26, 351
First Communions – 30,896
Marriages – 5,858
Between Catholics – 5,426
Between Catholics and non-Catholics - 432

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 ARCHBISHOPS OF MANILA “Dominus est”: “
Ang Panginoon Iyon!”
1595 – Present) Huwarang Pari at Pastol ng Kawan
1. Domingo de Salazar, O.P. 1581-1594
(1) Ang ‘yong puso’y kay dalisay
2. Ignacio de Santibañez, OF.M. 1596-1598
‘yong pag-ibig sa dukha ay tunay
3. Miguel de Benavidez, O.P. 1603-1605
Sa naliligaw ika’y gabay,
4. Diego Vazquez de Mercado, Sec. 1610-1616 ibinabalik ganda ng buhay
5. Miguel Garcia Serrano, O.E.S.A. 1620-1629 Panig sa api at mahihina,
6. Hernando Guerrero, O.E.S.A. 1635-1641 pinalalakas at pinalalaya.
7. Fernando Montero, Sec. 1644-1645 Ang pagod ‘di alintana,
8. Miguel Poblete, Sec. 1653-1667 ang ‘yong lakas kanyang Salita.

9. Juan Lopez 1672-1674

[REFRAIN]
10. Felipe Pardo, O.P. 1681-1689
Dugong Bayani ay taglay mo,
11. Diego Camacho, Sec. 1697-1705
Dangal ka ng Caviteño
12. Francisco de la Cuesta, O.S.H. 1707-1722
Ikaw ay Paring maka-Diyos,
13. Carlos Bermudez de Castro 1722-1729 maka-buhay at makatao.
14. Juan Angel Rodriguez, O.S.T. 1737-1742 Mapagmalasakit ka sa kalikasan,
15. Pedro de la Santisima Trinidad, O.S.T. 1747-1755 may pag-ibig sa Inang Bayan. Mapagmalasakit ka sa kalikasan,
16. Manuel Rojo del Rio y Vyeira, Sec. 1758-1764 Huwaran ka ng kabanalan. may pag-ibig sa Inang Bayan.

17. Basilio Sancho de Santa Justa, S.P. 1767-1787 Pastol ka ng kawan. Huwaran ka ng kabanalan.
Pastol ka ng kawan.
18. Juan Antonio Gallego, O.F.M. 1789-1797
(2) Natatangi ‘yong karunungan.
19. Juan Antonio de Zulaibar, O.P. 1805-1824
Ang lahat ika’y hinahangaan. (3) Matimyas ang iyong pag-ibig
20. Hilarion Diez, O.E.S.A. 1826-1830
Mababa ang yong kalooban sa Birheng Maria.
21. Jose Segui, O.S.A. 1830-1845 sa gitna ng karangalan. Sya’y lakas mo’t kagalakan.
22. Jose Aranguren, O.R.S.A. 1846-1861 Reynang iyong Sinisinta
23. Gregorio Meliton Martinez, Sec. 1862-1875 Kabutihan ng ‘yong sarili
24. Pedro Payo, O.P. 1876-1889 Kailan ma’y di ipinagmamalaki Dugong Bayani ay taglay mo,
25. Bernardino Nozaledo, O.P. 1889-1902 “Ang Panginoon Iyon!” yong wika. Dangal ka ng lahing Pilipino.
Ang Diyos ang ‘Syang pinupuri. Sa Diyos kami’y nagpupuri
26. Jeremias Harty, Sec. 1903-1916
nagpapasalamat para sa iyo.
27. Michael O’Doherty, Sec. 1916-1949
NED P. NAZARENO : music and lyrics
28. Gabriel M. Reyes, Sec. 1949-1952
Ika’y biyayang handog
29. Rufino J. Cardinal Santos, Sec. 1953-1973 sa sambayanang Caviteño.
Dugong Bayani ay taglay mo,
30. Jaime L. Cardinal Sin, Sec. 1974-2003 Dangal ka ng Caviteño Sa puso ikaw ay iingatan,
31. Gaudencio B. Cardinal Rosales, Sec. 2003-2011 Ikaw ay Paring maka-Diyos, Mananatili kailan man
32. Luis Antonio G. Tagle, Sec. 2011 - maka-buhay at makatao. Ngayon at kailan pa man.

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 Dominus est
Coat of Arms
The coat of arms of His Excellency Most Reverend Luis
Antonio G. Tagle, Archbishop of Manila, has two sides. The
left side represents the coat of arms of the Archdiocese of
Manila. The right side represents the personal coat of arms
of the Archbishop.

On the upper left (red) side, the tower of Castille portrays

the Almighty God, He who is called in Psalm 60, “My
shelter, a strong tower against the enemy.” The three windows in the figure of the tower signify
the Three Divine Persons. To its right is a Crescent, the symbol of Our Lady of the Immaculate
Conception, patroness of the Archdiocese of Manila.

On the lower left (blue) side, a sea lion engarde holding a pilgrim’s cross on its right represents the
origin of Christianity through the evangelization of the Philippines by the Spaniards and the Philippines’
role in Christianizing the Orient. Manila played a key role in the development of faith for the whole of
the Philippine archipelago. The sea lion itself is the symbol of the Philippines.

On the right, which represents the coat of arms of the Archbishop, there are three levels.

The top level contains the image of the Good Shepherd. It tells of the centrality of Jesus in the
Episcopal ministry of the Archbishop. He who directs the catch of fish is also the Shepherd who goes
before his sheep (Jn 10:4) and lays down his life for them (Jn 10:15). The figure also calls to mind the
diocesan seminary of Imus, Tahanan ng Mabuting Pastol, that the Archbishop served cumulatively for
twenty-two years as rector.

In the top level, there is also an open Bible. The living Word is the ultimate rule of life and service of
the Archbishop. He pays tribute to all those who taught him to love the Word of God, especially his
family, teachers, students, and the poor. It also stands for his ministry as a theology teacher, a servant
of the Word. But more than just being a teacher of the Word, the Archbishop hopes to live by Jesus, the
Incarnate Word, so that through his person and service, many may come to know, love and serve the
Living Lord.

On the middle and the bottom levels are symbols of two persons who, upon discerning the will of God,
made Jesus the center of their lives. The middle level depicts the Blessed Virgin Mary, to whom the
Archbishop is devoted under her title of Our Lady of the Pillar, patroness of the Cathedral Parish and
Diocese of Imus. The bottom level refers to St. Joseph, the just man and worker, to whom the town of
Imus and the Archbishop is devoted. He is the patron San Jose Seminary where he underwent priestly
formation.

The motto of the Archbishop is taken from John 21:7, “It is the Lord” (Dominus Est!). Following
Peter’s initiative, the disciples went fishing but that night caught nothing. When the risen Lord,
unrecognized by them, directed their fishing, they had a bountiful catch. Thereupon the beloved
disciple said, “It is the Lord!” The motto conveys the Archbishop’s conviction that the Lord must direct
his mission. So he entrusts the care of the Archdiocese to Him. The Archbishop’s modest role is to
discern His voice, to follow his bidding, and to end every fruitful endeavour in a loving prayer and of
recognition and adoration of the Lord.

____________________________________________________________________________
Cover art painting by: Rev. Fr. Emmanuel “Pong” del Rosario

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