LUIS ANTONIO G. TAGLE, D.D., S.T.D.
Lecturer, Associate Professor of Systematic Theology

Contact Information

Bishop's Residence
Imus, 4103 Cavite
Tel. (+63 046) 471-2786

Course

Holy Orders

Education

Bachelor of Arts in Pre-Divinity, Ateneo de Manila University, Quezon City
Bachelor in Sacred Theology, Loyola School of Theology, Quezon City
Licentiate in Sacred Theology, Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C.
Doctorate in Sacred Theology, Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C.

Background

Bishop Luis Antonio Gokim Tagle was born in Manila on June 21, 1957. After completing elementary and high school at St. Andrew’s School in Parañaque, an establishment led by the CICM Fathers, he studied Philosophy at the Ateneo de Manila University as a seminarian of San Jose Seminary. He did theological studies at the Loyola School of Theology from where he graduated in 1982. He was ordained to the priesthood on February 27, 1982, and was appointed associate pastor at St. Augustine Parish in Mendez, Cavite from 1982 to 1985, while he also taught Theology at San Carlos Seminary (Makati City), Loyola School of Theology (Quezon City) and Divine Word Seminary (Tagaytay City).  He also held the positions of spiritual director at the Diocesan Seminary of Imus, Tahanan ng Mabuting Pastol (Tagaytay City), from 1982-1983, then rector of that Seminary from 1983 to 1985.  From 1985 to 1992, he was sent to further studies in Sacred Theology at the Catholic University of America (Washington D.C.) where he obtained a Doctorate in Sacred Theology in 1991. In 1997, he was appointed member of the International Theological Commission of the Vatican. In 1998, he was an expert at the Special Assembly of the Synod of Bishops for Asia that took place in Rome. He also became president of the Commission on the Doctrine of the Faith of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines. In September 2001, at the request of the Congregation for the Clergy, he took part in a series of video conferences on the subject of ongoing formation of priests.

He was appointed Bishop of Imus and was ordained to the Episcopacy by His Eminence Jaime Cardinal Sin, Archbishop of Manila, on December 12, 2001. Since he became Bishop of Imus, his activities have been as numerous as in the past. He travels throughout the country in answer to many invitations as a guest speaker.  At the Synod of Bishops that was held in Rome in October 2005, he was elected member of the post-synodal Council and assistant to Cardinal Angelo Scola, general reporter of this Synod. 

Selected Publications

A. Books

‘It is the Lord!’ Occasional Lectures at Loyola School of Theology. Manila: Loyola School of Theology, 2003.

An Easter People: Our Christian Vocation to be Messengers of Hope. Quezon City: Jesuit Communications Foundation 2003.

B. Book Articles

“Dives in Misericordia.” In Father of Jesus, Father of the Church of the Poor. Homilies, Conferences and Addresses at the Festival of Conferences on God the Father, January 20-23, 1999. Pasay City: Paulines Publishing House 1999.

“Ecclesiologies: Asian.” In V. Fabella and R.S. Sugirtharajah (eds.), Dictionary of Third World Theologies. Maryknoll: Orbis Books 2000.

“The Blessed Trinity and the Church as Mission and Communion (With Some Reflections on Ecclesia in Asia).” In Opening the Year of the Lord. Homilies, Conferences and Addresses at the Marian Festival on the Holy Trinity, January 27-29, 2000. Pasay City: Paulines Publishing House 2000. Reprinted in Life Today 56,8 (2000) 22-28 and in unabridged form in Docete 22,100 (2000) 2-9.

“The Challenges of Mission in Asia.” In Living Mission in Asia, Recent Initiatives of Local Churches for Evangelization. FABC Papers No. 88. Hong Kong: FABC 1999. Reprinted in P.C. Phan (ed.), The Asian Synod. Texts and Commentaries. Maryknoll: Orbis Books 2002.

“The Savior is a Child (Feast of the Sto. Nino).” In Aristotle Dy (ed.), Sundays for Skeptics: The Homilies. Quezon City: Jesuit Communications Foundation, Inc. 2003, 164-168.

C. Articles

“Buried Treasure?” An interview by Fr. V. Osorio, MCCJ. World Mission 11,9 (1999) 19-21.

“Tapping Our Gifts.” An interview by Fr. V. Osorio, MCCJ. World Mission 11,11 (1999) 18-20.

“The Renewal That Awaits the Church in Asia: A Theological and Ecclesiological Reflection on Renewal.” Landas 13/2 (1999) 14-35.

“Imagine That!” An interview by Fr. V. Osorio, MCCJ. World Mission 12,1 (2000) 24-28. Reprinted in J.H. Kroegar and P.C. Phan (eds.), The Future of the Asian Churches. The Asian Synod and Ecclesia in Asia. Quezon City, Philippines: Claretian Publications 2002.

“The Church’s Mission Towards Minorities.” Landas 14 (2000) 129-139.

“What Have We Become? Ten Years After PCP II,” Landas 16/1 (2002) 105-117.

“To Wander and to Engage the World: The Role of the LST Alumni Association,” Landas 16/1 (2002) 144-154.