Bacolod Bishop Vicente Navarra said the appointment of Archbishop Luis Antonio Tagle by Pope Benedict XVI as a cardinal is an honor for the Philippines and will encourage young people to become closer to the Church and take their faith seriously.

Tagle, who is only 55, is a young man who will be able to influence people to live morally upright lives, Navarra said.

His appointment as cardinal will also serve as an inspiration to young men wanting to enter the priesthood, he added.

Lawyer Jose Maria Valencia, a former seminarian, said Tagle has been deeply involved with religious activities and is more than qualified to be a cardinal.

Tagle gives very intelligent and convincing sermons, Valencia added.

He becomes the seventh cardinal of the Philippines following Cardinals Gaudencio Rosales, Jose Sanchez, Ricardo Vidal, Jaime Sin, Julio Rosales and Rufino Santos.

Tagle is currently in Rome for the synod of bishops on the new evangelization.*CPG

back to top