WE HAVE A NEW CARDINAL!

ARCHBISHOP ROSALES
IS NEW PRINCE OF THE CHURCH

"WE HAVE A NEW CARDINAL!" "At about this time in Rome (7 p.m. Feb. 22, 2006) the Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI is announcing that Manila Archbishop Gaudencio B. Rosales is now a Prince of the Church." The announcement was met with thunderous applause from the congregation gathered at the Manila Cathedral to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Focolare movement in the Philippines.

Thus did Archbishop Antonio Franco, outgoing Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines, jubilantly announced the elevation to the Cardinalate of Archbishop Rosales. The Pope named fourteen others including two Asians, the bishops of Hongkong and Seoul.

Archbishop Franco chose the mass to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Focolare Movement in the Philippines as the occasion for the historic announcement. Earlier rumors had circulated that an important announcement would be made after the Apostolic Nuncio requested Archbishop to be present during the Mass at 7 pm at the Manila Cathedral.

The Archbishop had not been feeling well for the past two days and was voiceless because of laryngitis. The Papal Nuncio remarked that the Archbishop was "voiceless" but not speechless. The Archbishop repeatedly smiled and bowed with clasped hands to acknowledge the applause.

Pope Benedict XVI made the announcement of the new cardinals at the Vatican at the consistory to make the feast of the Chair of Peter, an important occasion for the Church, as it signifies the authority of the Pope and the bishops.

At the close of the Mass, the Archbishop obliged with a few words of thanks, struggling in a voice that could hardly be heard.

He first of all pointed to the significance of the celebration of the Focolare movement, reiterating that Communion, which the Catholic movement also faithfully espouses, is imbedded in its spirituality. Alluding to the situation in the country, he said that there could "absolutely be no communion unless everyone makes a sacrifice," and this means "giving up ambition, selfish interest" and even power. It is sad, he pointed out, that the country is still looking for unity because many are still not willing to make the sacrifice.

Referring to his elevation to the College of Cardinals, Archbishop Rosales thanked the people for praying to God for me. "I do not deserve this. I am completely unworthy," he said. "This added task of responsibility would not mean honor for me but greater service to the poor around us, who have been neglected by those in power," he said, and pledged that he would be ever more committed to work for the poor.

Archbishop Rosales who turned 73 on August 10, 2005, is the successor of Jaime L. Cardinal Sin, the third Filipino Cardinal, as archbishop of Manila. The first Filipino Cardinal was Rufino Cardinal Santos who was also the second Filipino Archbishop of Manila. The second Filipino Cardinal was Julio Cardinal Rosales who was the Archbishop of Cebu prior to Ricardo Cardinal Vidal, who is the fourth Filipino Cardinal. The fifth Filipino Cardinal is Jose Cardinal Sanchez who is prefect emeritus of the Congregation for the Clergy of the Holy See.

Cardinal-elect Rosales will be formally invested during the next consistory in Rome, on March 24, the eve of the feast of the Annunciation. At this consistory, the newly-created cardinals will be conferred the red hat, which is the chief among the insignia of the cardinal, and the ring.

Cardinals form the College of Cardinals and assist the pope in governing the Catholic Church. Cardinals are in charge of the various congregations of the Roman Curia. One of the chief privileges of the college of cardinals is to elect a successor following the death of the Pope.

Cardinals enjoy the privilege of being directly addressed as “Eminence.”

The Archdiocese of Manila will be preparing a series of activities leading up to the consistory.