Cardinal Luis Tagle of the Philippines is on many unofficial short lists of “papabile” cardinals, or those with a good shot at succeeding Pope Francis.Guglielmo Mangiapane/Reuters
The Philippines' Cardinal Luis Tagle is referred to as the "Asian Francis." However, Francis has come under fire for not speaking out more against the violent drug war and clergy sex abuse in his nation.
He had no desire to become a priest. He hinted that he experienced impostor syndrome after becoming a bishop. Additionally, Cardinal Luis Antonio Gokim Tagle of the Philippines responds that it is impossible for him to become the first Asian pope, an issue that has been raised a lot in recent years.
"I laugh at it when I think of myself in that position," Cardinal Tagle said to the BBC in 2015. "Even managing my life is beyond me." How can I oversee a global community?
"I laugh at it when I think of myself in that position," Cardinal Tagle said to the BBC in 2015. "Even managing my life is beyond me." How can I oversee a global community?
He was already being discussed as Pope Benedict XVI's possible successor by that point. Cardinal Tagle (pronounced TAG-leh), who is currently 67, is once again on several unofficial short lists of cardinals who are considered "papabile," or likely to succeed Pope Francis. His election would be a clear indication of the Roman Catholic Church's move from Europe to Africa and Asia, where it is still expanding, as he is the most well-known Asian contender.
The only pope to be born outside of Europe in the contemporary era was Francis. Cardinal Tagle would be the first Asian pope in modern history if he were to become pope. (Several ancient popes were from Syria, which is now seen as part of the Middle East but is properly in West Asia.)
Cardinal Tagle is in charge of missionary operations at the Vatican. Known by his nickname "Chito," he is frequently referred to as the "Asian Francis" due to his empathy for the underprivileged, his advocacy for climate change action, and his condemnation of Catholic clergy's "harsh" treatment of gay people, divorced people, and unwed mothers. His homilies have drawn the devout to the churches and to Facebook streams, and his humility has earned him popularity.
However, campaigners and some priests condemned him as being hesitant to confront the problem of clergy sex abuse while serving as the head of the Philippine church. As his reputation in the church grew, such objections persisted. An advocacy group called the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests called on the Vatican last month to look into Cardinal Tagle's actions in connection with claims of clerical abuse in New Zealand and the Central African Republic. (Five more cardinals were also investigated by the group.)
Cardinal Tagle, the president of Caritas Internationalis, the Vatican's charity arm, was also fired by Pope Francis in 2022 along with the whole of the organization's administrative team. The head office of Caritas experienced management and morale issues, according to an outside study.
Cardinal Tagle has been under fire domestically for failing to appropriately address the drug war of former President Rodrigo Duterte, which resulted in the summary execution of tens of thousands of people.
Cardinal Tagle has been under fire domestically for failing to appropriately address the drug war of former President Rodrigo Duterte, which resulted in the summary execution of tens of thousands of people.
The Rev. Robert Reyes, who attended seminary with Cardinal Tagle, stated that fewer people would have perished if Chito had spoken bravely and plainly during the Duterte government.
The cardinal was the archbishop of Manila at the time. Although he did not explicitly address Mr. Duterte, he demanded an "end to the waste of human lives."
An interview request was not answered by Cardinal Tagle.
The cardinal was the archbishop of Manila at the time. Although he did not explicitly address Mr. Duterte, he demanded an "end to the waste of human lives."
An interview request was not answered by Cardinal Tagle.
There are currently five Philippine cardinals, including Cardinal Tagle. A lesser-known Cardinal, Pablo Virgilio Siongco David, is also viewed by some Vatican insiders as a possible pope.
Cardinal Tagle urged lawmakers to oppose a bill that was sponsored by the Philippine legislature to make contraception more accessible. However, he later stated that he did not agree with other clergy members who threatened to excommunicate several MPs.
The Rev. Joseph A. Komonchak, who taught Cardinal Tagle at The Catholic University of America in Washington in the 1980s, remarked, "He tries to persuade people rather than intimidate them."
Cardinal Tagle urged lawmakers to oppose a bill that was sponsored by the Philippine legislature to make contraception more accessible. However, he later stated that he did not agree with other clergy members who threatened to excommunicate several MPs.
The Rev. Joseph A. Komonchak, who taught Cardinal Tagle at The Catholic University of America in Washington in the 1980s, remarked, "He tries to persuade people rather than intimidate them."
Mr. Duterte regularly made fun of Catholicism and criticized Pope Francis while Cardinal Tagle was the head of the Philippine church.
According to Mr. Duterte, a priest sexually assaulted him as a young boy. Cardinal David was among the clergymen who denounced his drug war. Cardinal Tagle, however, said nothing. Cardinal Jaime Sin, who played a key role in overthrowing dictator Ferdinand Marcos, is frequently cited by his detractors.
According to Mr. Duterte, a priest sexually assaulted him as a young boy. Cardinal David was among the clergymen who denounced his drug war. Cardinal Tagle, however, said nothing. Cardinal Jaime Sin, who played a key role in overthrowing dictator Ferdinand Marcos, is frequently cited by his detractors.
Cardinal Tagle has stated that the testimonies of survivors on clergy abuse "wound" him. However, he has also stated that because "the victims, once exposed to the public, might also be shamed," survivors should pursue justice through the church's canonical process. He asserted that the church needs to take care of "the abuser, who is definitely lost."
In 2013, he told Union Catholic Asian News, "This is a very Asian approach, and that approach leads to healing."
In 2013, he told Union Catholic Asian News, "This is a very Asian approach, and that approach leads to healing."
The Rev. Shay Cullen, an Irish priest serving in the Philippines, stated, "The sad thing is that Cardinal Tagle is very much out of touch with the realities facing the sexual abuse of children by priests and brothers." He claimed that the cardinal had informed him that issues like divorce were of more concern to the church.
According to BishopAccountability.org, a watchdog group, Cardinal Tagle's actions have led to a culture of impunity in the Philippine church.
According to BishopAccountability.org, a watchdog group, Cardinal Tagle's actions have led to a culture of impunity in the Philippine church.
In a 2015 interview with the Catholic newspaper Crux, Cardinal Tagle admitted that he has received criticism for "not being strong, that I don't condemn enough," but he claimed he had been inspired by Francis's example. His statement reiterated Francis's stance on gay priests: "Who am I to judge?"
Cardinal Tagle was born in Manila and grew up in Imus with bank-employed parents. He enrolled in seminary after graduating from Ateneo de Manila, a prestigious Jesuit university, with the goal of becoming a doctor.
Cardinal Tagle was born in Manila and grew up in Imus with bank-employed parents. He enrolled in seminary after graduating from Ateneo de Manila, a prestigious Jesuit university, with the goal of becoming a doctor.
He then wrote his doctoral thesis on Pope Paul VI at Catholic University after being ordained in 1982 at the age of 24.
According to a classmate named the Rev. Peter Bernardi, he visited an AIDS hospice in Washington on his own initiative regularly.
In 1992, he made his way back to Imus, where he was known to use inexpensive public transportation like bicycles and jeepneys. He became the archbishop of Manila in the ensuing decades, then a cardinal before relocating to the Vatican.
According to a classmate named the Rev. Peter Bernardi, he visited an AIDS hospice in Washington on his own initiative regularly.
In 1992, he made his way back to Imus, where he was known to use inexpensive public transportation like bicycles and jeepneys. He became the archbishop of Manila in the ensuing decades, then a cardinal before relocating to the Vatican.
He could now take charge of the church.
Cardinal Tagle wrote to Father Komonchak during the election of Benedict's successor, Francis, requesting that his former teacher "pray for me."
Father Komonchak stated, "I assumed he was overwhelmed by the prospect of his being elected pope." "Who wouldn't be?"
Cardinal Tagle wrote to Father Komonchak during the election of Benedict's successor, Francis, requesting that his former teacher "pray for me."
Father Komonchak stated, "I assumed he was overwhelmed by the prospect of his being elected pope." "Who wouldn't be?"
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