‘I COULD NOT BE A CARDINAL SIN’: Cardinal Advincula offers ‘listening’ pastoral approach to Manila

ROXAS City – Outgoing Capiz Archbishop Jose Cardinal Advincula Jr., D.D., the newly appointed Archbishop of Manila, says that he will prioritize the pastoral needs of the faithful in his new mission.

Cardinal Advincula made the statement in an interview aired on Wednesday, March 31, through the social media pages handled by the Archdiocese of Capiz.

Admittedly overwhelmed by the new ecclesiastical territory because of its highly urbanized nature in contrast to the two dioceses he has served which are situated in rural areas, the 69-year-old prelate commits to bringing his leadership style in Manila.

Dubbed as the “listening Cardinal from Capiz,” Manila’s Archbishop-elect says that he will always discern and consider the sentiments of the people which he wishes to approach by means of dialogue.

“I will try to concentrate on the pastoral life of the people in Manila,” Cardinal Advincula said, noting that he will “try [his] best to be a shepherd after the heart of Jesus the good shepherd.”

“I am a person who, before making a decision [and] if there is still time, would prefer to consult those who will be affected by the decision [that I will have to make],” he said, describing how his leadership style would be.

“I am a person who tries to listen especially to the voices of my people,” he added, noting that his episcopal motto “Audiam” means ‘I will listen.’

Admitting that he is yet to know the complete picture of the situation in the country’s metropolitan capital, Cardinal Advincula said that he wishes to be in touch with the people of Manila as soon as he gets there.

“I plan to visit the parishes and other places in Manila [and to] look at first the situation in the entire archdiocese,” he said, noting however that he will have to do so in a limited capacity given the restrictions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Cardinal also laid down pastoral priorities for the Archdiocese of Manila which includes the “work of evangelization [and] projects that can help our poor brothers and sisters” which he described as his means of “strengthening the initiatives” of his predecessors.

Moreover, given the significant role played by the Archbishop of Manila in the life of the Filipino nation, Cardinal Advincula said that he is open to be in dialogue with Malacanang but shrugs off speculations of being hostile against the government.

“I foresee to maintain an open line of communication with Malacanang,” Cardinal Advincula said.

The Capiznon Cardinal, who was once a young seminarian under the guidance of the then younger Jaime Cardinal Sin  – who is known for his historical role in contemporary Philippine politics –  at the St. Pius X Seminary in Roxas City back in the early to mid-1960s, said that his pastoral approach will not be that like of his mentor albeit acknowledging Cardinal Sin’s influence on him.

“Cardinal Sin is Cardinal Sin,” said Cardinal Advincula. “I’m afraid that I could not be vocal as Cardinal Sin.”

Asked further about pressing issues such as the series of extrajudicial killings throughout the country, the low-profile Archbishop of Capiz said that his brother bishops have already spoken several times about it.

With Metro Manila currently under the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) measure imposed by the state, Manila’s new archbishop says that the Church has its spiritual and pastoral obligation to the people and so is the government.

“The Church always has to remind the people not to fall to despair. There is hope,” he said, given the hike of Covid-19 cases, especially in the country’s capital.

Despite the recent exchange of words between Manila Apostolic Administrator Most Rev. Broderick S. Pabillo, D.D. and Malacanang over protocols that could have restricted public worship especially on Holy Week, Cardinal Advincula, for his part, sees that “the government is trying its best” to combat the threat brought about by Covid-19.