Pope Francis appoints Cardinal Tagle as member of Pontifical Council

Pope Francis appointed on Wednesday Filipino Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, the Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, as a member of the Pontifical Council for Inter-religious Dialogue.

His appointment drew praises from retired Sorsogon Bishop Arturo Bastes, who said Tagle

is a “good choice” because he is Asian and a Filipino.

“Asia and the Far East are home to the major religions of the world. In the Philippines, we have Muslims and Buddhists,” he said in an interview.

According to Vatican News, the Pontifical Council is the central office of the Catholic Church for the promotion of interreligious dialogue in line with the spirit of the Second Vatican Council.

It is responsible for promoting mutual understanding, respect, and collaboration between Catholics and followers of other religious traditions, promoting the formation of persons dedicated to dialogue, and encouraging the study of religions.

Tagle, as the Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, is in charge of bishops in “mission territories” where non-Christians are the majority of the population.

“Hence, as Cardinal of this Vatican Congregation, he must be a member of the Pontifical Council on Religious Dialogue,” said Bastes.

A former head of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines Episcopal Commission on Interreligious Dialogue agreed with Bastes.

“Since Cardinal Tagle comes from Asia, the birthplace of the world religions, and the Philippines is practically the only majority Christian country in Asia, this sends a message to us for the New Evangelization,” retired Cagayan de Oro Archbishop Antonio Ledesma said.

Archdiocese of Manila Apostolic Administrator Bishop Broderick Pabillo also welcomed the latest appointment of the cardinal.

“I am happy at the appointment. Now that he is in Rome, he can participate more in the work of the dicasteries there,” he said.

Tagle was appointed Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples in December, 2019. He left the Philippines in February, 2020 to assume his new post.

On May 1, the Pontiff elevated Tagle as cardinal bishop, the highest rank within the College of Cardinals.