CBCP urges faithful to pray for Cardinal Tagle's recovery from COVID-19

The Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) on Saturday urged the faithful to pray for the speedy recovery and safety of Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, who tested positive for COVID-19.

In his message to Tagle, as received by Radio Veritas, Cotabato Archbishop Emeritus Orlando Cardinal Quevedo, OMI, said he will offer Masses for the former archbishop of Manila.

"By now the whole country knows you are home but sadly infected with the corona virus. I've been praying for you since last night. I shall offer my Holy Masses and Rosaries for your intention. May our loving God of mercy and compassion grant you a speedy and full recovery," Cardinal Quevedo said.

"May the Blessed Virgin Mary, our Mother, Health of the sick, Mother of Mercy and Hope whose Holy Name we celebrate today, intercede for you before her Son, the Divine Healer. Best wishes, dear friend, God bless!" Quevedo added.

The National Secretariat for Social Action (NASSA)/Caritas Philippines, the social action arm of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), also asked Catholics for 10 Hail Mary’s for Tagle, who is the Prefect of the Vatican Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples.

"This is a call for everyone that we take seriously the necessary precautions against COVID 19. Wear face masks and face shields, observe physical distancing and sanitize our hands always. Let us help each other by observing this health protocol," NASSA/Caritas Philippines National Chairperson Kidapawan Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo said.

“Let’s join together our hands in prayers to our almighty God for our beloved Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle for his swift recovery. We humbly beg our dear God to help, to heal our Cardinal, as we offer Holy Masses for him,” said Balanga Bishop Ruperto, chairman of the CBCP-Pontificio Collegio Filipino.

“Lord give healing to our beloved Cardinal, Chito Tagle from Covid 19 so that he may continue to serve your church and the Pope. Heal also those who have been infected with us dreaded disease and may all of us see you divine guidance and will in all these trials. May the blessed mother, health of the sick intercede for us all. Amen,” said Military Ordinariate of the Philippines Bishop Oscar Florencio.

Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Martin Andanar meanwhile is wishing for Cardinal Tagle’s immediate recovery

“We extend our prayers of speedy recovery and good health to Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle following the unfortunate news that he had recently contracted COVID-19, and entreat the public to pray for the good Cardinal as well,” Andanar said.

“May his recovery be immediate so that he can continue to fulfill his good works, and be an inspiration to the Catholic faithful to continue the fight against COVID-19 virus and be on our way to heal and recover as one nation,” he said.

Tagle resided at the Pontificio Collegio Filipino (PFC) in Vatican, together with other Filipino priests studying in Rome, after he was appointed by Pope Francis as a member of the Pontifical Council for Inter-religious Dialogue.

Tagle tested positive for COVID-19 upon his arrival in Manila, as confirmed by Matteo Bruni from the Vatican Press Office.

Bruni said Cardinal Tagle underwent a swab test before leaving Rome on September 7, where he resulted negative.

Tagle is also the President of the Caritas Internationalis, who takes charge of the network of Catholic charities all over the world.

Three other bishops earlier tested positive to COVID-19, including Caloocan Bishop-emeritus Deogratias Iniguez, Manila Apostolic Administrator Broderick Pabillo and Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Oscar Cruz.

Archbishop Cruz died on August 26 due to complications from COVID-19. —Jamil Santos/KG, GMA News