WITH the retirement Manila Archbishop-emeritus Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales, the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Manila (RCAM) has advised all priests in its jurisdiction to change the reference during masses to Rosales as "our administrator" or "aming tagapangasiwa".
Effective immediately, RCAM Chancellor Fr. Rufino Sescon said that all masses following Rosales's announcement of his retirement must continue mentioning the name of Rosales in the Eucharistic Prayer.
Effective immediately, RCAM Chancellor Fr. Rufino Sescon said that all masses following Rosales's announcement of his retirement must continue mentioning the name of Rosales in the Eucharistic Prayer.
Rosales announced his retirement Thursday and also revealed that Archbishop-elect Luis Antonio Tagle of the Diocese of Imus (Cavite) has been named by Pope Benedict XVI as his successor.
However, no date has been given yet for Tagle’s ordination and installation as the new Manila prelate.
With this, Rosales will remain as the administrator of the Archdiocese of Manila until the installation of Tagle.
Meanwhile, retired Archbishop Oscar Cruz said Sunday there is a strong possibility that the country will see the naming of two new Filipino cardinals by Pope Benedict XVI soon.
This, he said, after Vatican has accepted the retirement of Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal and Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Rosales.
"At least, for the moment, we can expect two cardinals. That of the Cardinal Archbishop of Cebu, and the Cardinal Archbishop of Manila," said Cruz.
"In principle, the successor of a cardinal in an archdiocese also becomes a cardinal in due time," he added.
To recall, Vidal's retirement was accepted by the Holy Father back in October of last year and was succeeded by then Palo, Leyte Archbishop Jose Palma.
The Philippines, then, only had three cardinals, including the recently retired Cardinal Jose Sanchez, who was the Prefect Emeritus of the Vatican’s Congregation for the Clergy.
Cruz, though, said he is not yet certain whether there is still a need for the Pope to name a replacement cardinal for Sanchez.
"We still do not know about Cardinal Jose Sanchez because he was occupying a position in the Vatican when he retired. We do not know if we will have a third cardinal precisely because he had no successor as archbishop in any place or jurisdiction in the Philippines," Cruz said.
A Cardinal is considered a senior Catholic Church official and can participate in the election of a new Pope being part of the College of Cardinals.