Tagle named member of 2 Vatican councils

MANILA, Philippines - Pope Benedict XVI has named Archbishop of Manila Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle a member of the presiding committee in two pontifical councils dealing with the family and with migrants.

His appointment came two months after he was elevated to the position of cardinal.

Tagle was named a member of the presiding committee of the Pontifical Council for the Family and the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant Peoples.

The two new assignments would allow the 55-year-old Tagle to assist Benedict XVI in governing the Church.

New assignments in the dicasteries and organs of the Roman Curia – created in the consistory last November – were also given to the five other new cardinals.

The Catholic News Agency said while the cardinals will keep their main jobs, the new assignments allow them to bring their experience and perspective to bear on the discussions and decisions of central church offices assisting the Pope.

As member of the two Rome-based offices, Tagle may attend the Council’s important meetings and receive regular correspondence from Rome on matters needing consensus.

Last October, Benedict XVI appointed Jolo Bishop Angelito Lampon to be part of the Pontifical Council for Inter-religious Dialogue.

The other appointees include US Cardinal James Harvey, archpriest of Rome’s Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls, member of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples and on the Administration of the Patrimony of the Holy See, which oversees Vatican property and investments.