Manila archdiocese ‘sede vacante’ as Tagle leaves for the Vatican

Tagle, who celebrated his last Mass at the Manila Cathedral on Sunday morning, expressed gratitude to those who supported him while he headed the archdiocese. (File Photo by Lorenzo Atienza via The Manila Cathedral/Facebook)

MANILA — After former Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle left for the Vatican on Sunday to report to his new post, the archdiocese is considered sede vacante or Latin for “the seat being vacant”.

“At 10 p.m., 9 February 2020, His Eminence Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle has left Manila for Rome to take on his new mission at the Vatican,” the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Manila-Office of Communications (RCAMAOC) said in an advisory released Sunday night.

On December 8, Pope Francis appointed Tagle as head of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, which is one of the top posts in the Vatican.

Tagle, who celebrated his last Mass at the Manila Cathedral on Sunday morning, expressed gratitude to those who supported him while he headed the archdiocese.

“Good evening. Tonight I say goodbye. Work starts for me this week at the Congregation. It was an honor and blessing to have known you and have collaborated with you. I will always treasure my time with you. You can count on my prayers,” he said in his message after officiating his last Mass.

He asked the faithful to pray for him and his new position.

“Let us pray for docility to the Holy Spirit as we continue our life as an Archdiocese and await the next Archbishop. Stay well and joyful!” Tagle said.

The 62-year-old archbishop was born in Cavite where he also served as bishop of Imus. He was named as the head of the Archdiocese of Manila, which he served for nine years.

Pope Francis has yet to appoint new bishops for the Manila Archdiocese; Alaminos, Pangasinan; Jolo, Sulu; San Jose, Mindoro; Taytay, Palawan; and the Apostolic Nunciature in the country, according to an article posted on the website of church-run Radio Veritas.

The Archdiocese of Manila has a population of 3 million Catholics, with 86 parishes administered by more than 500 priests.