CBCP condemns smear campaign vs Tagle

The Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) on Wednesday condemned the last-minute campaign to discredit Filipino cardinal-elector Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle ahead of the conclave.

In an interview with CBCP News, Kalookan Bishop and fellow cardinal-elector of Tagle, Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David, said that they will just "let God take care of them."

David had the reaction after an Italian newspaper, quoting unnamed sources, tied Tagle to a network of casino operations and even accused him of being a gambling addict.

On 3 May, the CBCP also issued a statement defending Tagle after a United States-based group accused him of "not doing enough" to address sexual abuse in the Church.

"He has consistently advocated for a humble and responsive Church that listens to the cries of the wounded and acts decisively to protect the vulnerable," Msgr. Bernardo Pantin, CBCP secretary general, said.

Meanwhile, Tagle is set to be the third out of 133 cardinal-electors who will vote for the next pope.

According to the CBCP, the casting of votes will be done "by order of precedence."

The first elector will be Italian Cardinal Pietro Parolin, who served as secretary of state under Pope Francis, while the second one will be Cardinal Fernando Filoni, a former apostolic nuncio to the Philippines and prefect of the old Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples.

Aside from Tagle, two more Filipino cardinals are part of the conclave: CBCP President and Diocese of Kalookan Bishop Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David, and Manila Archbishop Cardinal Jose Advincula.