Bishop David surprised by appointment as cardinal

MANILA, Philippines — Caloocan Bishop Pablo Virgilio David is “caught in a whirlwind” after Pope Francis appointed him as one of the 21 new cardinals.

“It felt like Elijah standing by the mouth of a cave and feeling a soft breeze that penetrated my soul and prepared me for this new chapter of my life and ministry as a bishop, as a servant of God’s people,” he said.

David is at the Vatican for the Synod of Synodality general assembly.

“Running priest” Fr. Robert Reyes has congratulated David.

“Do not forget that you have been the voice of the voiceless. Please do not betray those whom you have given a voice to by joining the ranks of the silent who have ascended to power. Do not let your ascent to power be an excuse for the convenience of silence,” Reyes said.

David and Reyes have been vocal against the bloody war on drugs carried out by former president Rodrigo Duterte.

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines is pleased with the announcement that David, president of CBCP, would become the third active Filipino cardinal.

On Dec. 8, the new “princes” of the Church will join the College of Cardinals, a body tasked with selecting the next pope.