Cardinal Tagle elected head of intl church social action arm

Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle was elected early Friday (PHL time) as head of Caritas Internationalis, the Catholic Church's charity and justice arm.

 

Caritas Internationalis posted on its social networking accounts before dawn Friday Tagle's election to the post.

 

"Caritas Internationalis new President is Cardinal Luis Tagle, Archbishop of Manila," it said.

 

In Manila, Caritas Manila headed by Tagle sent its congratulations. "Congratulations, Cardinal Tagle! God bless you always, as you continue to lead us in our Social Mission."

 

The Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines said Tagle was elected by more than 300 Caritas delegates from around the world during Caritas' general assembly in Rome.

 

Tagle is now the first Asian elected to head the confederation of worldwide Catholic charities. Tagle thus replaces Cardinal Oscar Rodriguez Maradiaga of Tegucigalpa.

 

He will be the "global representative of the Caritas confederation of 165 members as its head" when he officially assumes office on May 17.  — Joel Locsin/ELR, GMA News