Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David of Kalookan has been appointed by Pope Francis to his first major role within the Roman Curia, joining the Vatican's doctrinal body as one of its newest members.
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) confirmed on Sunday, Jan. 12 that David is among 19 of the 21 newly elevated cardinals assigned to key Vatican institutions.
David has been assigned to the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, joining fellow cardinals Jaime Spengler of Porto Alegre, Brazil; Ignace Bessi Dogbo of Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire; and Roberto Repole of Turin, Italy.
They will work under the guidance of Argentine Cardinal Victor Manuel Fernández, who has led the dicastery since September 2023.
The dicastery, which underwent significant reforms under Pope Francis, is now structured into two distinct sections—doctrinal matters and disciplinary issues, each with its own secretary.
CBCP said the doctrinal section is responsible for safeguarding and promoting faith and morals, overseeing marriage annulments, and guiding the Church’s evangelization efforts in response to scientific progress and societal shifts.
It also reviews documents from other Vatican departments on “faith and customs” and engages in dialogue with authors to address any concerns.
Meanwhile, the disciplinary section handles delicts—crimes including clerical sexual abuse cases.
David, who has served as the bishop of Kalookan since 2016 and is the current president of the CBCP, was officially elevated to the College of Cardinals during a consistory at the Vatican on Dec. 7, 2024, alongside 20 other new cardinals.
While continuing their primary pastoral duties, the cardinals will now bring their unique experiences and insights to the central offices of the Vatican, where they will play a crucial role in assisting the pope’s decision-making.