Cardinal Luis Anthony Tagle of Manila was elected as the new president of Caritas Internationalis, making him its first president from Asia. Caritas Internationalis is a confederation of over 160 Catholic relief and development organizations. Cardinal Tagle succeeds Cardinal Oscar Rodriguez Maradiaga, who concluded his 8 year mandate as president.
According to a statement by Caritas, the election took place at the Caritas Internationalis 20th General Assembly which concludes Sunday in Rome.
After the election, Cardinal Tagle, speaking by phone to the delegates present, greeted them in Italian saying: “Buona sera a tutti!” (Good evening, everyone!)
“Thank you for your trust,” he said. “I’m limited in my capacities but with all of you, with the love that Jesus has poured into our hearts and in the name of all of the poor people in the world, I accept this election.”
The Asian cardinal prayed that “together we can strengthen the Church of the poor so our witness can help guide us to a world of understanding, justice, true freedom and peace.”
Outgoing president Cardinal Maradiaga also congratulated Cardinal Tagle on his new role.(D.C.L.)
