By Leslie Ann G. Aquino and Jeffrey Damicog
Pope Francis on Sunday appointed 13 new cardinals, among them Filipino Archbishop Jose Advincula of Capiz.
(CBCP / MANILA BULLETIN)
CBCP News said the pope made the announcement during his Sunday Angelus in the Vatican.
The new cardinals would be elevated at a consistory on November 28.
Born March 30, 1952 in Capiz, Advincula was ordained priest in 1976. He was appointed Bishop of San Carlos in 2001 and as Archbishop of Capiz in 2011.
The CBCP said the 13 cardinals Pope Francis appointed on Sunday will help in his ‘task as bishop of Rome for the benefit of the holy people of God’.”
It noted that Advincula, 68, is “among the nine new cardinal electors in a conclave, while the four are over the age of 80 and do not have that right.”
Meanwhile, Advincula expressed surprise at his appointment.
“I was surprised! I haven’t thought about it nor crossed my mind that this time will come as I serve the Church,” Advincula was quoted by the CBCP News.
Advincula also expressed his fears over the responsibility that was given to him by the Church.
“If there is that feeling of joy, it’s very small because my feelings are focused on the responsibility that is given to me,” he said.
Advincula, a canon lawyer, is the CBCP’s vice chairman of the Commission on International Eucharistic Congress and the Office on Women.
Advincula becomes the Philippines' ninth cardinal, following cardinals Orlando Quevedo, Luis Antonio Tagle, Gaudencio Rosales, Jose Sanchez, Ricardo Vidal, Jaime Sin, Julio Rosales and Rufino Santos.
At present, there are only three living Filipino cardinals namely: Quevedo, Tagle, and Rosales.
Both Rosales and Quevedo are already retired. Tagle on the other hand is currently serving as prefect of the Vatican's Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples.