Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle: Following Pope Francis’ passing, the Catholic Church faces a turning point, with Tagle emerging as a strong candidate to continue the pope’s legacy. Known for his humility, charity, and dedication to underrepresented groups, Tagle has the potential to succeed Francis as pope and carry on Francis’ inclusive stance, especially with regard to LGBTQ Catholics.
Cardinal Tagle’s Acceptance of Gay Catholics
Tagle, who is well-known for standing out for the weak and disadvantaged, is seen as a continuity candidate who may expand on the progress Pope Francis achieved in addressing LGBTQ issues. Tagle has shown support for the LGBT community in the Philippines, a nation with a strong Catholic culture.
“All of us are Catholics, all of us are parishioners, all of us are children of God,” Cardinal Tagle stated in a 2014 interview, indicating his deep understanding of the LGBTQ community. His welcoming comments resonated with many LGBT Catholics, including Gerald Concepcion, who had long been marginalized within the Church.
The Legacy of Tagle in the Philippines
The Filipino people loved Tagle because of his pastoral leadership in the Philippines, particularly during his tenure as Archbishop of Manila. He was well-known for leading a modest life, frequently visiting nearby communities, and demonstrating sincere sympathy for both locals and street sellers.
But despite his widespread support, detractors contend that Tagle hasn’t always exhibited the fearless leadership required during social or political upheavals. His hesitancy on contentious topics, such extrajudicial executions under previous President Rodrigo Duterte, has sparked questions about his ability to question authority when called upon.
A Conflicting Document at the Vatican
Despite his extensive experience at the Vatican, Tagle has a poor administrative record. He lost his job at Caritas Internationalis after an audit revealed management shortcomings. This has led some to question whether he possesses the skills necessary to lead the Church through its complex financial and administrative challenges.
The Catholic Church’s Future and the Conclave
There are differing views about Tagle’s future as the conclave approaches. Some analysts believe that the cardinals would choose a European candidate who may provide stability and better administration abilities, notwithstanding his great media appeal.
The Catholic Church will have to make a crucial choice in the next days: should they continue with Tagle, who personifies Pope Francis’ humane style, or look for someone else?
Source: NBC News