Pope Francis appoints Cardinal Advincula as new Manila archbishop

MANILA – Pope Francis has named Capiz archbishop Jose Cardinal Advincula as the new Archbishop of Manila.

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) news website reported that the appointment was made public in Rome at noon (7 p.m. in Manila) on Thursday, the Feast of the Annunciation of the Lord.

He is the 33rd Archbishop of Manila.

Advincula will succeed Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle, who is serving as the Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples in the Vatican.

The archdiocese has been without a bishop since Tagle left for Rome in February 2020.

Meanwhile, CBCP president Archbishop Romulo Valles congratulated the Cardinal on his appointment.

“I wish the archbishop-elect God’s abundant blessing in his new mission and offer him our continued prayers and support,” the Davao prelate said.

In October 2020, the Holy Father announced the appointment of Advincula as among the 12 new cardinals. He was elevated at a consistory on November 28, 2020.

He was born on March 30, 1952 in Dumalag town, Capiz. He was ordained a priest for the archdiocese in 1976.

The 68-year old cardinal studied Psychology and Canon Law between Manila and Rome, obtaining a licentiate in Canon Law.

Advincula also served in the seminaries of Vigan, Nueva Segovia, and in the regional seminary of Jaro.

He was appointed bishop of San Carlos in 2001 and was transferred to Capiz in 2011, after the retirement of Archbishop Onesim Cordoncillo.