The Rector of the Pontifiicio Collegio Filippino (PCF) encouraged Filipino Catholics to pray for the Filipino Cardinal and former Archbishop of Manila Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle as Pope Francis entrusted him with many offices.
Fr. Gregory Ramon Gaston, rector of PCF where Filipino priests who study in Rome reside, said that Pope Francis has recently assigned Cardinal Tagle, President-emeritus of Caritas Internationalis, as assistant and temporary overseer of international humanitarian aid of the Vatican.
“Kaya talagang ipagdasal natin si Cardinal Tagle kasi napakarami ng kanyang assignments sa iba’t ibang offices ng Vatican. Pati na rin sa iba’t-ibang mga grupo ng simbahan, governments, private organizations at individuals sa buong mundo, marami rin ang gustong makipag-usap at mag-consult kay Cardinal Tagle,” Fr. Gaston told Radio Veritas.
Fr. Gaston clarified that Cardinal Tagle was not removed from his position but rather the end of his term took effect before the changes and relaunching of Caritas Internationalis since his leadership began in 2015.
“Mukhang naparami pa ang trabaho ni Cardinal [Luis Antonio] Tagle; bilang President noon ng Caritas International, may full time staff siya sa Vatican. Ito ay mula pa noong Arzobispo siya ng Manila hanggang ginawang head ng isa sa pinakamalaking department ng Vatican.” according to Fr. Gaston.
The rector also explained that the cardinal will expand the operations of the social arm of the church so it won’t be committed to just its central office in the Vatican.
In a decree by Pope Francis, Dr. Pier Francesco Pinello was appointed administrator of Caritas Internationalis. The pope assigned Cardinal Tagle to communicate with the different social arm of the dioceses around the world.
It was on November 22 when Pope Francis temporarily assigned an administrator for the organization as means of preparation for the upcoming election the following year coinciding with the General Assembly of the Caritas Internationalis.
The Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development first clarified that there are no corruption or sexual abuse connected with Pope Francis’ measures but rather the organization of Caritas Internationalis to better accomplish its goals most especially with helping those in need in our society. (Mio Angelo Hermoso/SOCOM-Vicariate of Santa Clara de Montefalco)
