Fr. Francis Xavier Truong Buu Diep beatified in Vietnam by Cardinal Luis Tagle

 

Cardinal Tagle presides over the beatification Mass of Fr. Francis Xavier Trương Bửu Diệp

Church

• Vietnam
• saints and blessed
• martyrs
• Luis Antonio Gokim Tagle
• evangelization

Cardinal Tagle: A martyr helps a confused world discover Jesus’ truth

Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization, presides over the beatification Mass of Fr. Francis Xavier Trương Bửu Diệp, a Vietnamese priest who dedicated his life to his flock and was killed in the aftermath of the Second World War.

By Isabella H. de Carvalho

Fr. Francis Xavier Trương Bửu Diệp’s witness and martyrdom invite us to respond to Jesus’ calling to proclaim his love in our daily lives through charity and embracing the suffering of others, Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization, said at the Mass for his beatification, celebrated in Vietnam on July 2, 2026.

Fr. Diệp was a parish priest in Tắc Sậy, southern Vietnam, who dedicated himself tirelessly to the faithful entrusted to him to the point of giving his life for them, refusing to abandon his flock despite the dangerous situation that was brewing in the days before his death.

He was killed in 1946 in the violent aftermath of the Second World War by Japanese deserter militiamen who had captured him along with 70 other people and threatened to burn them alive. Fr. Diệp offered himself to the armed gang in exchange for the liberation of the others.

The people were freed, and his maimed body was later found in a pond.

“Blessed Francis Xavier Trương Bửu Diệp never wavered in manifesting the charity and justice of Jesus to the poor, the love of Jesus that embraces all, even non-Christians, and the fidelity of Jesus the Good Shepherd who does not leave His flock alone to be devoured by wolves, thieves and marauders,” said Cardinal Tagle in his homily.

Cardinal Tagle presided over the beatification as Pope Leo XIV’s envoy, and it was celebrated at the Tắc Sậy pilgrimage center - where Fr. Diệp’s remains are located – in the southern Cà Mau province.

The world needs bearers of truth

In his homily, Cardinal Tagle reflected that being a martyr means being a “missionary par excellence,” as martyrs bear witness to Christ and proclaim his truth, even to the point of giving their lives for him.  

“A true martyr helps a confused world to discover the truth of Jesus. The world needs true martyrs and bearers of truth. Let us not add to the increasing number of messengers of falsehood, hatred, division and violence,” Cardinal Tagle said.

He underlined how Blessed Diệp courageously kept the light of Christ shining despite those who wanted to extinguish it and his witness calls us to do the same in our lives.

“Which will we choose: to spread fake news or the teachings of Jesus? To behave and dress according to the latest fashion or according to the charity and simplicity of Jesus? To be proud of our worldly achievements or to be proud of Jesus?” asked Cardinal Tagle.

Cardinal Tagle during the beatification Mass (AFP or licensors)

Respond to Jesus’ call

He emphasized how “a true disciple profoundly loves Jesus, remains with Him and shares in His persecution,” just like Father Diệp did. This new Blessed is thus inviting us “to respond to Jesus’ calling, to choose Jesus, to cling to the words of Jesus and to proclaim the name of Jesus in our daily life.”

“What will we choose,” Cardinal Tagle asked again, “becoming rich by corruption or remaining poor but honest? Accumulating property that you do not need or sharing it with the poor and needy? Seeking your own safety and convenience or embracing the suffering of others?”

Place your hope in Christ

Lastly, Cardinal Tagle noted how the relationship of a martyr with Christ is sustained by hope in his Resurrection, especially in the face of persecution.

“Blessed Francis Xavier is inviting us to place our hope only in Jesus and in His Kingdom. Only such hope can give meaning and sustain our lives and mission on earth, not the fleeting treasures of the world,” Cardinal Tagle insisted, asking another series of questions again.

“What will we choose: to rely on earthly wealth or on the everlasting riches in Jesus’ Kingdom? Will we rely on fame, the number of followers and likes in social media or on Jesus’ promise to be with us forever? Will we rely on weapons of war or on Jesus’ gift of peace?”

The Cardinal concluded his homily by praying for the intercession of the Virgin Mary and of Blessed Diệp and by citing the Gospel of Matthew: “Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called children of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.”

Thanks to Africa and Asia the Church continues to grow

 

Number of Catholics in Asia and Africa continues to rise

Vatican City, Oct 21, 2021 / 12:00 pm

The number of Catholics in Asia and Africa continued to grow in 2019, according to newly released statistics.

The world population grew by 81.3 million in 2019, while members of the Catholic Church increased by 15.4 million for a total of 1.3 billion Catholics worldwide.

The new statistics compare 2019, the last year for which data is available, with 2018 and therefore do not reflect the effects of the global coronavirus outbreak in 2020.

While news coverage in recent years has highlighted the fall in Catholic priests being ordained in Europe and the Americas, the overall number of priests rose slightly in 2019 — by 271 — mostly due to a rise in priestly vocations in Africa and Asia, which offset decreases elsewhere.

Permanent deacons also continued to rise from the year prior, with all five continents seeing their numbers grow, especially Europe and the Americas.

The number of men and women religious decreased in 2019. Women religious were down by more than 11,500. But lay missionaries increased by over 34,200, with the overwhelming majority of the new lay missionaries located in the Americas.

The Catholic population has stayed steady with population growth. At the end of 2019, Catholics made up 17.74% of the global population — up just .01% from 2018.

The number of Catholics in Africa grew by more than eight million in 2019, for a total of around 19% of the population, while in Asia, which has 4.5 billion people, Catholics make up just 3.31% of the population, at 149.1 million.

In a press conference on Oct. 21, Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle drew attention to the relatively small number of Catholics in Asia, pointing out that around half of the continent’s Catholics are located in the Philippines.

The prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples added that “these past years, we have seen in Asia, in terms of proportion, percentage, an increase in the number of baptisms, and also in entry to seminaries and religious life.”

“In terms of numbers, [it is] still small, but in terms of percentage proportion, [it] is large,” he said. “And we, of course, thank the Lord.”

Tagle, the former archbishop of Manila, spoke during a press conference about World Mission Sunday, which will take place on Oct. 24.

He noted that in 2021, the Church in the Philippines is celebrating 500 years of Christianity.

“Now we have many Filipinos serving as missionaries,” he said, pointing out that they are not only priests and religious, but also laity, some of whom have emigrated to other parts of the world for work and are helping to spread the Christian message.

As the synod begins a prominent Cardinal says let St. Joseph be our inspiration

 

Cardinal Antonio Louis Tagle 

VATICAN

• LUIS ANTONIO GOKIM TAGLE
• INTERVIEW
• ST JOSEPH
• #SYNOD2023

Let us be inspired by St. Joseph in the synodal process

In an interview with Vatican media, Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of People, talks about his devotion to St. Joseph in this Special Year dedicated to the holy figure, and says we can all find inspiration in his virtues.

By Alessandro Gisotti

St. Joseph is a timely and fruitful figure not only for all fathers, but for all the baptized. This is emphasized by Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle in an interview with Vatican media on the Special Year desired by Pope Francis on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the declaration of St. Joseph as Patron of the Universal Church. The Prefect of Propaganda Fide also dwells on the Letter Patris Corde and indicates in St. Joseph - in his choice to be the guardian of Jesus and Mary, even if this requires "changing paths" - a figure that can inspire the Church in the synodal process initiated by Pope Francis.

Cardinal Tagle, we are living the Special Year that Pope Francis has called for St. Joseph. What are the fruits that, in your opinion, all the baptized – all of us – can receive from this Special Year?

The figure of St. Joseph is rightly connected to fathers. I think you pointed out correctly that all of us baptized can benefit from this year. Especially in the following areas: like St. Joseph, I hope that every baptized person will be attentive to God’s voice and leading. Especially in the confusing moments of life. Also, that all the baptized will have the trust in God to pursue God’s project even when things are not always clear. Also, to be a good steward, a guardian, a custodian of the people that God entrusts to us.

 

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21/03/2021

"Patris Corde" encourages us to remember St. Joseph

Pope Francis in his letter Patris Corde emphasizes the relevance of St. Joseph for today’s fathers. What do you most appreciate about this document?

There are many, many things this document presents to us, especially to fathers. But one of the things that I really appreciate is, first, that he presents St. Joseph as someone who accepts reality. Accepting reality does not mean being passive or just being tolerant of something. He accepts reality as it is, he lives by that reality and as he accepts it. He sees what God wants him to do to transform that reality. Sometimes the temptation for us is that we do not accept reality. We are living in a past that we have idealized, or we are living in a utopia that does not yet exist. And so, we don’t know how to transform the present. But St. Joseph, according to the document, accepted reality and in that acceptance, heard the Word of God and courageously acted to transform that reality.

Regarding reality, today we are used to the fact that we are only right if we speak, if we have the last word in the conversation. But St. Joseph shows his strength, remaining in silence - in the shadows. What does this attitude teach us?

That’s true. When I was a seminarian, the name of our seminary was San José Seminary – St. Joseph seminary. This is one of the virtues of St. Joseph that was stressed to us. The Gospels do not record any of his words but he preserved the Word of God in his silence. It is Jesus, who is able to speak in his silence, He preserved the Word of God from those who wanted to kill him and to silence the Word of God. And so, this teaches us a lesson. First: our desire to speak, speak, speak. “Is it for myself or is it for the Word of God?” Secondly: sometimes silence is the most powerful speech. Jesus himself, when he was being tried by Pilate, at a certain point, he kept quiet. But in his silence, who was being judged? The corrupt system was exposed in the silence of Jesus. So, I think Jesus learned silence from St. Joseph.

St. Joseph is also the father who goes forth, goes out of his way to protect his family. What does his faith say to the Church, now engaged in the synodal process?

The synodal process is an invitation for us to walk together, to journey together. There is a walking that St. Joseph shows us. He walked dangerous paths with Mary and Jesus, guided by the direction of the angel of God. It is a walking that means protection, that means caring. We hope that during the synodal process, we may develop this capacity to love Jesus, to love the Church. And even if we have some observations that are not always positive, we must do so out of caring, out of loving, so that the name of Jesus will be proclaimed and preserved.

A final question, more personal for you. You are very devoted to St. Joseph. You have also declared this devotion on several occasions. What impresses you the most about this saint?

This devotion allows me to turn to him in different situations. Especially when there are difficult moments and I feel threatened and I say “I don’t know what to do”. Then, [I ask for] protection from St. Joseph. But most especially, the courage to be in the shadows. It requires courage, especially when you feel you have the right idea and you want to propose it. You think you have the right solution but then you purify your intentions and you say “wait a minute, am I promoting myself or am I seeking good?”. If it is not so much for the good of others, then it’s good to be in the shadows and let God and God’s angel work his wonders.

Deacons from 13 countries ordained today at St. Peter's in Rome

 

Saint Peter's Basilica 

CHURCH

• DEACON
• LITURGY
• LUIS ANTONIO GOKIM TAGLE

Cardinal Tagle: Deacons are called to be living signs of Jesus

Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle ordains 24 deacons from 13 countries during Mass in Saint Peter’s Basilica

By Vatican News staff writer

Early Saturday afternoon Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle presided over Mass where he ordained 24 deacons studying at Rome’s Pontifical Urban College, a major seminary under the care of the Congregation for the Evangelization of the Peoples headed by him.

Congratulating and thanking them for their affirmative response to the Lord’s call, he also paid tribute to the support and formation received from family, their home dioceses, their teachers and seminary community. The 24 deacons come from Camerun, Benin, Senegal, Nigeria, Tanzania, Uganda, South Sudan, Zimbabwe, India, China, South Korea, Indonesia, and Papua New Guinea, and give "witness to the universality of the Church and its mission”.

In his homily, Cardinal Tagle recalled the Vatican II constitution Lumen Gentium which describes the role of the deacon “in service of the liturgy, of the Gospel, and of charity”, and quoting Saint Polycarp that they "be merciful, diligent, walking according to the truth of the Lord, who became the servant of all."  He underscored that “deacons are called to be living signs of Jesus, whose lordship is expressed in humble service to all”. With the grace of God, they remind Christians of “our common call to serve as Jesus did.”

Recalling the Gospel reading, where Jesus says,"Remain in me, as I remain in you...I am the vine, you are the branches...without me you can do nothing", Cardinal Tagle noted the special meaning this has today for the new deacons. He said it is not enough to know that Jesus lives in us, but that "we must choose to live and remain in him", so we may “become like him in love and service”. He encouraged the new deacons to “show the world the greatness of humble service, which is the fruit of living in Jesus.”.

In conclusion he, entrusted them to the care and protection of Mary, our Mother, and of Saint Joseph, “both humble servants, who lived for and in Jesus.”

New Archbishop for Manila

 

Human rights advocate named to head Manila Archdiocese

Mar 25, 2021

by Catholic News Service

 

Justice

People

World

20210325T1145-MANILA-ADVINCULA-1244642 (1).JPG

Cardinal Jose Advincula of Capiz, Philippines, is pictured in a June 17, 2019, photo. Advincula has been appointed by Pope Francis to replace Cardinal Louis Antonio Tagle as archbishop of Manila. (CNS photo/courtesy Archdiocese of Capiz)

MANILA, PHILIPPINES — Pope Francis named Cardinal Jose Advincula of Capiz to be the new archbishop of Manila.

The March 25 announcement in Manila and at the Vatican filled the vacancy Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle left in February 2020, when he was called to the Vatican.

The appointment puts Advincula, a human rights advocate and promoter of strong families, in the same city as Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, who has urged security forces to "kill" and "finish off" armed communist rebels and "not think about human rights."

Archbishop Romulo Valles, president of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines, wished Advincula "God's abundant blessing in his new mission" and offered him "our continued prayers and support."

The new Manila archbishop, who was elevated to the College of Cardinals in November, will turn 69 March 30.

Ucanews.com reported that the cardinal has said: "The church cannot simply ignore human rights, because there is a moral dimension to them. The right to life, for example, is consistent with the church's teaching that there is dignity in the human person."

Before the November consistory, he told Vatican News, "Poverty is one of the reasons why we have social problems" and that he saw education as "the way to develop the people so that they can earn more in order to live a more decent life."

Tagle currently serves as head of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples.

High ranking Vatican Cardinal has Coronavirus

Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, Prefect of the Vatican’s Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples. PHOTO FROM CONGREGATIO MISSIONIS

JUST IN: Cardinal Tagle Positive for Coronavirus

Director of Holy See Press Office Confirms to ZENIT English

September 11, 2020 14:02Deborah Castellano LubovVatican

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Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, Prefect of the Vatican’s Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples (‘Propaganda Fide’), has tested positive for coronavirus.

This was confirmed to ZENIT English by Director of the Holy See Press Office, Matteo Bruni, this afternoon, September 11, 2020.

This marks the first leader of a Vatican dicastery to be positive with COVID-19. When the outbreak broke out in Italy around March, the Vicar General of Rome, Cardinal Angelo De Donatis, had tested positive. He was hospitalized, but has since recovered and resumed his normal activities.

“Yes, I confirm that Cardinal Tagle currently tested positive for Covid-19 through a throat swab carried out yesterday upon his arrival in Manila,” Bruni confirmed to ZENIT’s Senior Vatican Correspondent, Deborah Lubov, noting: “His Eminence has no symptoms and will remain in solitary confinement in the Philippines, where he is.”

“On Sept. 7,” he explained, “Cardinal Tagle had already undergone a swab in Rome, with negative results.”

“In the meantime,” the Vatican spokesman also reassured, “the necessary checks are being carried out among those who have come into contact with His Eminence in recent days.”

The last time Cardinal Tagle had met with Pope Francis was August 29th.

More charity from the Pope in response to Coronavirus

Pope Francis at March 27 Moment of prayer and “Urbi et Orbi” Blessing

Pope Creates Emergency Fund to Aid Coronavirus Victims

Accompany Impacted Communities in Mission Countries via Church Structures and Institutions

April 06, 2020 17:02ZENIT StaffCharities and Volunteering

The Holy Father has established an emergency fund at the Pontifical Mission Societies, in order to come to the aid of those people and communities who are being tragically impacted by the spread of COVID-19. The Emergency Fund will be used to accompany impacted communities in mission countries via Church structures and institutions, the Vatican said in a statement April 6, 2020.

Cardinal Tagle, Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, welcomes the announcement: “In her task of evangelization, the Church is often on the front lines of major threats to human well-being. In Africa alone, there are over 74,000 religious sisters and over 46,000 priests operating 7,274 hospitals and clinics, 2,346 homes for the elderly and the vulnerable, and educating over 19 million children in 45,088 primary schools. In many rural areas, they are the only providers of healthcare and education.” He continued, “The Holy Father is calling upon the Church’s entire vast network to face the challenges ahead.”

The Holy Father has designated US $ 750,000 as an initial contribution for the fund and has asked that those Church entities that are able and desirous to help, to contribute to this fund through the Pontifical Mission Societies in each country.

Archbishop Dal Toso, President of the Pontifical Mission Societies, said:

“This fund has the aim of supporting the presence of the Church in mission territories, which also suffers the consequences of Corona Virus. Through the Church’s activity of preaching the Gospel and of practical aid through our vast network, we can show that no one is alone in this crisis. In this sense, the Church’s institutions and ministers play a vital role. This is the Holy Father’s intention in establishing this fund. While so many are suffering, we remember and reach out to those who may have no one to care for them, thus showing forth the love of God the Father.”

The Pontifical Mission Societies is the Holy Father’s official channel of support for more than 1,110 dioceses mostly in Asia, Africa, Oceania and part of the Amazon region. The Archbishop continued: “I call upon our network of Pontifical Mission Societies, present in every diocese around the world, to do what they can to support this important initiative of the Holy Father.”

Contributions can be made also to: IT84F0200805075000102456047 (SWIFT UNCRITMM) for: Amministrazione Pontificie Opere Missionarie, indicating: Fund Corona-Virus.