Father of Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle passes away at 96

MANILA – Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle has asked the faithful for prayers for the repose of the soul of his father, Manuel Tagle Sr. who died on Sunday. He was 96.

According to an article posted on the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), the cardinal was in Rome when his father passed away at 7:09 a.m. Manila time.

“We thank God for his life and mission. Please pray for his eternal joy with God. May Tatay Maning rest in peace, with Mary, the Angels and Saints,” he said.

The Diocese of Imus said the wake and viewing will begin Monday from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.

It will continue on Sept. 8 to 9 from 7:00 a.m. to 10 p.m. at Casas Hall in the Bishop’s House in Imus, Cavite.

It added that the funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. Sept. 10 at Imus Cathedral, the diocese added.

In lieu of flowers, the Tagle family requested that cash donations for victims of the devastating flash floods in Nepal would be appreciated.

In Rome, the Pontificio Collegio Filippino held a Mass on Sunday for Manuel Sr., led by its rector, Fr. Gregory Ramon Gaston.

“We pray for Tatay Maning who passed away at a ripe old age. We pray for his eternal repose, and we pray for Cardinal Tagle and his whole family,” he said during the Mass.

Manuel Sr. was married to Milagros Gokim for 70 years from Imus, Cavite. They worked for a bank and were blessed with two sons, Luis Antonio and Manuel Jr.

Tagle, former archbishop of Manila and now serving as pro-prefect of the Vatican’s Dicastery for Evangelization, celebrated his parents’ wedding anniversary at Imus Cathedral on Aug. 26.

On the other hand, the Archdiocese of Manila also announced the death “with profound sadness” and urged the faithful to pray for the repose of his soul and for strength for the bereaved family. (PNA)