Quevedo shares experience as new Cardinal - ABS CBN News

ROME -- Cotabato Archbishop Orlando Quevedo on Saturday said he was surprised and shocked upon knowing that he is one among the 19 new Cardinals installed by Pope Francis.

According to Quevedo, it was Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle who broke the news to him.

"It came as a complete surprise for me and I was not notified at all. I learned about being a cardinal from Cardinal Tagle one hour before it was announced," said Quevedo.

Quevedo said still can't believe that he is now a Filipino Cardinal of the Catholic Church.

Quevedo recalled that during the extraordinary Consistory Synod of the Family, he felt warmly welcomed in the first meeting of the Cardinals.

He also had a great experience meeting Pope Francis, who knew him by name.

"They welcomed me and made me feel at home. What surprised me most was the Pope. He just came and held my hand and said, 'Quevedo, Quevedo'. I really appreciated that and I was happy and felt at home," he said.

Quevedo joined the first extraordinary Consistory Synod on the Family Friday where global conflicts and problems on family and marriage were discussed.

"Regarding the family who differ from place to place, there are great effects between family relations and the situation of married people, therefore the local churches need to respond to the challenges of family and marriage in light on their own situation," he said.

The bishop will continue his mission in Mindanao to resolve problems in the area.

"The reason I was appointed Cardinal in Cotabato is because of the location. The archdiocese is a microcosm, it represents the problems of the entire Mindanao area, its poverty, conflict, and under development. You will find that 47 percent are Muslims and 48 percent are Catholic."

Bishop Quevedo said being a Cardinal is not an honor but a responsibility to pursue.

"I expect it to be like being crowned with thorns and it might be related to the idea that a cardinal is supposed to die as a martyr of faith because the color red symbolizes the willingness to be a martyr for the faith. The expectation of being a Cardinal is not only one of honor, one of privilege, one of power but one of great service to people."

Tomorrow, Bishop Quevedo will have a thanksgiving mass at the Basilica of St. Mary Major with different Filipino communities in Rome.

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