Tagle tells priests he’s sorry for hurting any of them

Manila Archibishop Luis Tagle. FILE PHOTO

MANILA—Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle has apologized to his priests for the hurts he may have caused them.

“[Cardinal Tagle] asked forgiveness from us if he had hurt anyone or overlooked some things,” said Fr. Carlos Reyes, executive secretary of the Episcopal Commission on Interreligious Dialogue of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines in a post on CBCP website.

According to him, Tagle made the apology during the Archdiocese of Manila’s Christmas Party on Dec. 26.

The prelate also expressed appreciation to the clergy, thanking them for their work and exhorting them to prepare spiritually for the papal visit.

Reyes said Tagle also mentioned the Holy Father’s recent message to the Vatican Curia, saying even the priests of the archdiocese were guilty of some of the 15 “spiritual diseases” Pope Francis discussed.

“Humiliation brings fruits of redemption,” Reyes quoted the cardinal as saying.

Reyes said Tagle’s apology, though much appreciated, “is just like a cherry on top of the well-loved cardinal’s personality.”

“Even if [Cardinal Tagle] didn’t apologize, his approach to priests is very endearing. He has a gift. Even if you have some sort of resentment against him, it will disappear as soon as you get to talk to him,” Reyes said.

“Actually, we are the ones who should have asked forgiveness from him but we didn’t have the time. We were dismissed after the blessing. I’ll just probably write to him,” Reyes said.

The 57-year-old prelate also led members of the clergy in an examination of conscience, which, Reyes said, he did in a “very positive way.”

Meanwhile, Auxiliary Bishop of Manila Bernardo Cortez, who will be moving on to his new assignment in Infanta, Quezon, also took the time during the gathering to apologize to anyone he may have hurt.

San Carlos Seminary rector Msgr. Hernando Coronel gave a speech of gratitude for Cortez in behalf of Manila’s clergy.

Cortez will be officially installed as bishop of Infanta on Jan. 23.