Pope Francis appoints Manila Archbishop Tagle CBF President

Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle (left) with His Holiness Pope Francis doing the sign language for “I love you” during the ‘Encounter with Families’ event at the Mall of Asia Arena, January 16, Friday.

MANILA — Pope Francis has appointed Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle as President of the Catholic Biblical Federation (CBF).

The head of the Archdiocese of Manila is set to assume the post during the 9th CBF Plenary Assembly to be held on June 18 to 23 in Nemi, Italy. He will be holding the post until 2021.

According to an article posted on the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) website, the 57-year old Filipino cardinal will succeed Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia, who served the position since September 2002.

On March 5, the Holy Father announced the appointment at the Vatican, several months after Tagle was elected to head the Catholic fellowship of international and local organizations committed to the Biblical-pastoral ministry last October 2014.

Prior to his new appointment, Tagle is already holding different posts in the Roman Curia, which has been the subject of reform by Pope Francis.

He is a current member of the Pontifical Commission for the Family, Pontifical Council for the Laity and for Pastoral Ministry to Migrants and Travelers.

Tagle also belongs to the congregation responsible for all concerns of institutes of consecrated life and of the Sacred Congregation for Catholic Education.

Likewise, he is among the members of the Permanent Council of the Synod of Bishops.