By: Bishop Teodoro C. Bacani

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Written by Teodoro C. Bacani

 

I just won a friendly bet. I am getting a free Korean dinner from a brother priest. I bet that Bishop Luis Antonio Tagle of Imus, whom every priest calls “Bishop Chito” would be the  next archbishop of Manila.  I would have had to treat my priest-friend to a free dinner if any other had been chosen.

I was sure of winning the bet for many reasons. “Politically,” I saw that the cards were stacked in favour of him. He was a member of the Pontifical Theological Commission whose head was the then Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, who is now Pope Benedict XVI.  Cardinal Ratzinger showed a  certain fondness for the youthful  theologian whom he reportedly  presented to Pope John Paul II with the humorous assurance that he had already received his first  holy communion.  The Papal Nuncio in the Philippines manifested a  great admiration for him, and Cardinal Rosales was quite obviously inclined—to put it mildly—to have the young bishop as his successor.

But more decisive for the choice of Bishop Tagle as Manila’s new archbishop are his personal qualities and achievements. He is a person in whom one sees a very rare and integrated combination of a theologian’s mind, a musician’s soul, a pastor’s heart. In him the search for truth and love of God and people have been joined in a remarkable degree. He is not only a brilliant scholar but a persuasive  communicator.  And he is not only intelligent and holy but a friend to many, while having a particular love for the poor and  priests.

These are among  the qualities that have endeared the archbishop- elect to practically all people. That is why he has been the most sought-after speaker in local, national and international conferences and has given innumerable retreats to bishops, priests, religious and lay people.  Practically every group that has a big assembly would put Bishop Tagle as its first choice for speaker. Unknown to most Filipinos he has done a lot of work both as resource person and as participant since 1998 in the Synod of Bishops held in Rome every four years, and has collaborated in the drafting of papal exhortations following upon those synods. And though in the Philippines, his name has not been splashed over the papers when there is news about the CBCP, it is usually to Bishop Tagle that the Philippine bishops turn when they have to draft their statements.

In ecclesiastical circles today, no Filipino bishop is as well known and relied upon as Bishop Tagle. That is why Cardinal Rosales could tell the priests of Manila, “You will be in good hands.” That is why, too, when asked by a reporter for comment on the archbishop’s elect’s appointment, I said: “Most welcome, much expected. The best choice.” The Catholic faithful  can be assured that it is really a choice made by the Holy Spirit.  Bishop Tagle will predictably exercise a major role in the shaping  not only of the Church in the Archdiocese of Manila but in the whole Philippines as well. And, who knows, we may have in him the future first Asian Pope, as a classmate of his is speculating.

Our prayers go with him and for him as we look towards the future with great hope and expectations.