'Pope wants more bishops in RP'

MANILA, Philippines - Philippine Ambassador to the Vatican Mercedes Tuason disclosed yesterday that Pope Benedict XVI has reportedly expressed interest in increasing the number of bishops in the country to work better with the community.

In an interview over Church-run Radio Veritas, Ambassador Tuason said that Papal Nuncio to the Philippines Archbishop Edward Joseph Adams told her that the Pope wants more bishops because they work in the community.

There are about a hundred active and retired bishops in the country. The Pontiff is reportedly less inclined to increase the number of cardinals.

At present, the country has three cardinals – Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales in Manila, Ricardo Cardinal Vidal of Cebu and the prefect emeritus of the Congregation for the Clergy in the Vatican, Jose Cardinal Sanchez.

Tuason said she is still optimistic that Pope Benedict XVI would come to Manila despite reports that that the Pope would not be able to grace the 400th founding anniversary of the pontifical University of Sto. Tomas in May next year.

When asked by Radio Veritas if there is a chance that the Pope would visit the country, she said, “Yes, maybe. I hope so,” adding that the Pope is very busy attending to the problems of the Catholic Church and he is preoccupied writing his own speeches.

She added that it might boost the chances of a papal visit if President Aquino would write a personal invitation to the Pope.

Aside from a papal visit, Tuason also proposed that the Philippines be included as a pilgrimage destination.

“There are several foreigners that go on pilgrimage and we want that the Philippines be included. I hope next year it will be included so we are still working (on it),” Tuason added.

She also reported that this Christmas would be the first time that a Filipino family would be represented in the belen or nativity scene of Jesus Christ to be part of an exhibit at Vatican City. An artist would create the life-size image of the main characters in the tableau of the birth of Christ in a stable.