Pablo Virgilio David
MANILA, Philippines — The Iglesia Filipina Independiente celebrated the official elevation of Kaloocan Bishop Pablo Virgilio “Ambo” David as a cardinal of the Catholic Church on Saturday.
In a statement on Sunday, Obispado Maximo Most Rev. Joel Porlares expressed that David’s elevation is “another reason to raise hope and gather strength amidst growing confusion, apathy, and scare in the country.”
Article continues after this advertisement“As a bishop who stands and raises voices against grave abuse of authority in the use of lethal force and violence in anti-drugs war and red-tagging, and who cries with the victims and their families in their struggle for justice, his ascent into higher moral and spiritual platform means so much to us,” Porlares said.
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He added that David’s “transforming and caring presence,” along with the growing trust in the Catholic Church, underscores the importance of the ministry of shepherding as exemplified by Jesus Christ, amid abuse and chaos in society.
Article continues after this advertisement“Let Cardinal David’s pastoral and spiritual leadership be an active inspiration to us brethren in the Aglipayan Church who persistently seek to serve God in journey with the broken and downtrodden,” Porlares concluded.
Article continues after this advertisementDavid, a staunch critic of the Duterte administration’s war on drugs, was elected as the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) president in 2021.
Article continues after this advertisementThe CBCP announced his promotion to cardinal on October 6.
David is the 10th cardinal from the Philippines.
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