CBCP welcomes election of Rosales as a Cardinal
Feb 24, 2006
Catholic Church leaders led by Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) President Archbishop Angel Lagdameo yesterday welcomed the news of the election of Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Rosales to the cardinalate.
(The Manila Bulletin, Feb 24, 2006) "The CBCP gladly welcomes the news of Archbishop Rosales’s elevation to the College of Cardinals. The CBCP likewise profoundly thanks His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI for honoring one of its members, the Archbishop of Manila, with the dignity of a Cardinal," Lagdameo said.
The Jaro, Iloilo prelate said while they are one with the Archdiocese of Manila in rejoicing, they would also like to urge everyone to pray for Rosales.
"We enjoin everyone to pray for our new Cardinal in his new ministry in the Church," he said.
For their part, Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Oscar Cruz and Caloocan Bishop Deogracias Iñiguez said the promotion of Rosales to cardinal did not surprise them, saying this was long overdue.
"I would not know if anybody in the hierarchy will not be happy with his appointment to the cardinalate which was long overdue," Cruz said.
"We have been expecting the Archbishop of Manila to be elected cardinal. (This is) a signal honor to Archbishop Rosales, to the Archdiocese of Manila and to the Philippines," Iñiguez said.
Cruz said he believes the reason why Rosales was chosen by the Pontiff to head the Manila See was because of his pastoral skills aside from his pious life and moderate bearing.
"I congratulate him. I wish him the best. I will pray for him especially in these difficult times. The Archdiocese of Manila during these critical days needs a shepherd who can lead the people to a better future. I’m certain Cardinal Rosales can accomplish this challenging task," he said.
Rosales’s elevation to the cardinalate was announced personally by outgoing Vatican Representative to the Philippines Archbishop Antonio Franco at the Manila Cathedral in Intramuros where he presided the mass for the 40th anniversary of the Focolare movement, a Church organization.
Making his first reaction to his promotion to cardinal, Rosales said he felt undeserving and unworthy to be bestowed with such honor by the Pope. "I do not deserve this. I’m completely unworthy," Rosales said in his speech last Wednesday at the Manila Cathedral after Franco made the announcement.
Speaking before members of the Focolare movement, Rosales thanked the people who have been praying for him. "I want to thank you for praying to God for me," he said.
"I say to you that this added task or responsibility or work will not be honor but would mean greater service. So that the many poor around us, so neglected by the powerful, may be attended to, recognized, loved and served," he said.
Rosales’ words no longer surprised those who are close to him knowing how close his heart is to the poor.
In fact, since Rosales was installed as Manila archbishop in 2003, he has been busy visiting poor communities under the archdiocese most of which were known only by a few people.
It is also because of his love for the poor that the prelate initiated in 2004 the "Pondo ng Pinoy" project. The project aims to gather 25 centavo coins from the faithful to help fund the Church’s different projects for the poor.
Rosales will be formally invested of the cardinal’s red hat and ring in the next consistory in Rome on March 24. Until such time, he will still continue doing his pastoral duties to his flock.
Tomorrow, the Cardinal-elect will visit the EDSA Shrine in Ortigas where he will preside the noon mass for the 20th anniversary of the first People Power revolt.
Former President Corazon Aquino is expected to join Rosales in unveiling a portrait of Sin, a leading figure in the revolt.
GMA congratulates Cardinal Rosales for his appointment
President Arroyo yesterday congratulated Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Rosales for his designation as a new cardinal in the Philippines, saying he deserves the new title for his leadership in strengthening the faith and moral values of Filipinos.
"We share the joy and pride of the entire Filipino Catholic community on this event," the President said during a speech before businessmen in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City. "Cardinal Rosales deserves this honor for the leadership he has shown in spreading and upholding the faith and in guiding our people along the path of moral and spiritual enlightenment," she said.
Rosales, 73, was among the 15 new cardinals Pope Benedict XVI named last Wednesday.
The President said the appointment as cardinal was providential as the nation remembers the pivotal role played by the late Jaime Cardinal Sin in the First People Power revolt that ousted the dictatorial regime of Ferdinand Marcos in February 1986.
"Twenty years ago today, we celebrate the guiding role of the Church in defending what is good and right for the people," she said. Mrs. Arroyo was referring to Sin’s historic remarks over Radio Veritas calling on Filipinos to surround Camps Aguinaldo and Crame in 1986 to protect a breakaway faction of the military.
More than two million people responded and assembled in front of the military camps, resulting to the first People Power revolution that installed Corazon Aquino as president and sent an ailing Marcos fleeing into exile in Hawaii.
The President assured that the government’s solidarity with Rosales would be "unsullied in the fight against poverty and in building a God-centered society."
CBCP welcomes election of Rosales as a Cardinal