Further About Cardinal Tagle

By: Bob Boyer

 

Bob, I enjoyed your article as it gives me an eye into an area of the world I would not know about.” So wrote my “friend of the books-travel-arts and theater type” who I introduced in my February 2021 column about Maria Ressa, editor of “Rappler,” and President Duterte. My friend’s present comment was in response to my column last month, “Cardinal Tagle: From Manila to Rome” (July, 2021).

My friend and I had met for our annual summer brunch (she enjoys winters in Arizona) when I was telling her about the July Cardinal Tagle article. Pope Francis had called him to Rome and put him in charge of his new Evangelizing plan. East Asia and parts of Africa that been sorely underserved by the Church would finally get their care and attention. Cardinal Tagle would lead the effort.

A day or so later I sent a copy to my friend, with this note: “Attached is the article about Cardinal Tagle. I think I was wrong about Tagle’s age. He is 64 but his current pictures make him look much younger. As you may surmise when you see it, I started off to include Cardinal Advincula, made Cardinal of Manila by Francis to succeed Tagle, and, like Francis and Tagle, a strong pastor. I take consolation in the people Francis has selected; the future of the Church has hope and promise. Keep me posted on your adventures, and let me know what you think of the Tagle piece.”

During our brunch I had also recommended to my friend a recent television program on Pope Francis. It was part of a Public Broadcast System (PBS) series called “In Their Own Words,” statements in context by world leaders in various fields. She responded to both items, my article and “In Their Own Words,” within hours of my sending the article and recommending the TV program.

She thanked me and offered the following insight: “After viewing ‘In Their Own Words’, along with reading your article, I recognize the similarities of Francis and Tagle; both Jesuits, and with affinity to serve the poor. It seems like a logical, smart “global” decision in paving the way of papal succession.”

As usual I enjoyed her helpful insights and responded promptly. “Thanks for your reaction to the article about Tagle (and his successor in Manila). You reminded me of the Jesuit connection, although I was initially surprised, because I had not thought Tagle was a Jesuit. When I first took note of him, several years ago, he was a diocesan p riest who had just been made a bishop. It was Father Brendan McKeough at one of our pool games at the Norbertine Abbey recreation room who first drew my attention to Tagle. Brendan liked him a great deal because Tagle was especially committed to the poor. I still have Brendan’s copy of the little Orbis Books, 2017 auto-biographical account by ‘Chito’ Tagle (Tagle likes his nickname).”

“So I went back to Tagle’s account (subtitled ‘I Have Learned From the Least’). He may have given the impression that he became a Jesuit because, as he notes, he went to a Jesuit seminary and then to a Jesuit University (Ateneo). The Jesuits, however, ran the seminary for their own and for diocesan priests. As far as I can tell, Tagle never intended to become a Jesuit; he went to their seminary and university because they gave him scholarships. He could not have afforded the cost of entering the seminary otherwise. So, thanks, Jesuits.”

“And thanks to you for sending me back to “Chito’s” autobiography. And you are still correct. He does have a key Jesuit connection with Pope Francis. The Jesuit seminary and university influence are definitely present. Cardinal Tagle was and remains a well-respected theologian; of course, he is now, and I expect forever, noted as an administrator, one of the highest ranking ones in the Catholic Church. He is the highest ranking member of the Church’s governing body, the Vatican Curia, the first Asian to hold that position.”

“Being noted as a theologian and an effective administrator, as well as being dedicated to the poor, are not such bad credentials in a possible successor to Pope Francis. As you put it, it is a logical, smart “global” decision in paving the way of papal succession.”

My friend replied: “Thank you for clarifying Tagle’s Jesuit connection. It is analogous to that of many of my friends who have attended Jesuit universities. They all say they are greatly influenced by the “Jesuit way,” especially in matters of social justice. I will look forward to watching “Tagle’s Road to the Papacy . . . my own presumptive hope!” And mine, and, I suspect, many others’, not least, Filipinos.

Bob Boyer welcomes your comments or questions at Robert.boyer@snc.edu.