By CBCP News
December 8, 2021
Manila, Philippines
Cardinal Jose Advincula, the archbishop of Manila, received a liturgical vestment known as the pallium on Dec. 8, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception of Mary.
Archbishop Charles Brown, Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines, conferred the pallium on Cardinal Advincula during Mass at the Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, also known as the Manila Cathedral
The pallium is a white woolen stole worn around an archbishop’s shoulders to signify unity with the pope and responsibility to care for the flock.
The pope traditionally bestows the stole to the new archbishops during a ceremony at the Vatican on June 29, the Feast of Sts. Peter and Paul.
Due to Covid-19 travel restrictions, Advincula was unable to travel to Rome for the papal ceremony.
While Pope Francis continues to bless palliums and give them to archbishops as his predecessors did, he also decided in 2015 that the formal imposition of the bands would be done by nuncios.
Archbishop Brown said the pallium is also a sign of the archbishop’s responsibilities not only in his archdiocese but also in the entire ecclesiastical province, which is comprised of the dioceses of Antipolo, Cubao, Imus, Kalookan, Malolos, Novaliches, Parañaque, Pasig, and San Pablo.
The province also covers the Military Ordinariate of the Philippines, as well as the Apostolic Vicariates of Puerto Princesa and Taytay.
While every diocese has its own bishop, the nuncio explained that the metropolitan archbishop is tasked “to be vigilant over the entire province so that Catholic faith and church life are carefully preserved and he is called to keep the pope informed”.
The pallium is also given to the archbishop, he added, “as a sign that he is to be an image of the Good Shepherd who seeks out lost sheep and brings them home rejoicing”.
In his homily, the cardinal asked the faithful to join him in prayer and service.
“Please pray for me, your servant and shepherd. Together let us serve Christ our Lord,” he said.
