By Leslie Ann Aquino
The Chancery office of the Archdiocese of Manila released on Monday a "Prayer for the New Archbishop" the day after Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle left for Rome to assume his new post, making the Archdiocese of Manila "sede vacante."
Tagle was appointed prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples last December by Pope Francis.
The prayer reads:
Heavenly Father,
you have blessed our Archdiocese time and again
with good, holy, learned, and wise shepherds
who have led us ever closer to you.
Aware of your profound love for us,
we ask you to bless us once again.
Send us a good, holy, learned, and wise man
to become our next archbishop.
Inspire us, the clergy, religious, and laity
to work generously with him
so that we might grow together in your love
and continue the good work you have begun in us
for the sake of all people.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, forever and ever.
Amen.
The prayer, which is also available in Tagalog, will be recited in all masses in the archdiocese.
Father Reginald Malicdem, chancellor of the Archdiocese of Manila, said the prayer will be recited after the post-Communion prayer.
Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo currently serves as Apostolic Administrator of the archdiocese until a new archbishop has been appointed by the pontiff.