Filippino cardinal receives Ford Family Notre Dame Award

Cardinal Luis Antonio Gokim Tagle has been called the “Francis of Asia” due to his humility and concern for the marginalized. Cardinal Tagle visited campus over the weekend of March 24 to celebrate the life of Blessed Oscar Romero for his efforts to aid the poor, and Tagle’s own efforts were recognized when he was awarded the Ford Family Notre Dame award for Human Development and Solidarity.

Cardinal Tagle has emerged as an integral force in Pope Francis’ effort to minister to the poor and marginalized of society. The 32nd Archbishop of Manila and leader in the Catholic Church in Asia is renowned for being an advocate for the poor, through inviting beggars to dine with him and through his work as president of Caritas International, where he leads Catholic charitable agencies around the world such as Catholic Relief Services.

Along with his advocacy work for the poor, Cardinal Tagle has also been noted for successfully hosting a papal visit where an estimated seven million people welcomed Pope Francis to the Philippines, despite the threat of an oncoming typhoon. He is also an esteemed theologian, having received his Doctorate in Sacred Theology from the Catholic University of America in 1991. He currently serves as a professor of systematic theology in the Loyola School of Theology at the Ateneo de Manila University.

Cardinal Tagle visited campus in order to participate in the Catholic Social Tradition Conference sponsored by the Center for Social Concerns. This year’s conference commemorated the 50th anniversary of Populorum Progressio, Pope Paul VI’s encyclical which has served as the basis for Church policies regarding human development.

In light of the theme “Soul of Development,” the conference sought to address social justice issues in Populorum Progressio, particularly focusing on economic justice, international development, solidarity with the poor, peace building, and globalization.

Prior to receiving the award Friday evening, Cardinal Tagle celebrated Vigil Mass of the Solemnity of the Assumption in the Basilica of the Sacred Heart. The Mass was a part of Romero Days, which marked the 37th anniversary of the martyrdom of Bl. Oscar Romero.

During the conference, Cardinal Tagle received the Ford Family Notre Dame Award for Human Development and Solidarity, which “recognizes individuals or organizations that stand in solidarity with those in deepest need.” He humbly stated his desire to accept the award in the name of the many hidden men and women who are working for peace and justice.

Director of the Ford Family Program in Human Development Studies and Solidarity Reverend Robert Dowd, CSC, explained, “[Cardinal Tagle] has been a tireless champion of the poor, as much by example as by word. … He spends time listening to the most marginalized, working to ensure that their experiences and concerns inform his ministry and the Church’s efforts to promote justice and peace.”

In his keynote address, Cardinal Tagle expounded upon Populorum Progressio by proposing that “we verify, expand, and even critique the encyclical by engaging human beings, especially the poor, about their quest for full human development today.” He went on to state the need to affirm the continued search for authentic humanity and to be mindful of the social and economic aspirations of developing nations, while paying particular attention to the wisdom of their local cultures.

Cardinal Tagle stressed the necessity of intercultural and interreligious dialogue in the pursuit of development, especially as humans and the earth itself suffer from commoditization. He concluded by saying the best legacy of Populorum Progressio is when human beings realize their dignity and worth as human beings.

Throughout his visit, Cardinal Tagle stressed the importance of upholding the dignity of all human beings by celebrating the life and work of Bl. Oscar Romero as well as by exploring the significance of Populorum Progressio today. He departed encouraging all to seek common ground in the pursuit of human development by recognizing common wounds found throughout the world: “The wounds of Christ present in the wounds of others.”

Michael Rawls graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 2015 with a degree in history and theology and is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Management from the Mendoza College of Business. Contact him at mrawls@nd.edu.