The Loyola School of Theology is pleased to make available in open access two important early works of Luis Antonio Cardinal G. Tagle DD, originally published by LST in 2003 and 2004. These publications provide valuable insight into the theological depth, pastoral sensitivity, and ecclesial vision that have characterized Cardinal Tagle’s ministry in the Church.
The first work, “It is the Lord!” Occasional Lectures at Loyola School of Theology (2003), gathers a series of lectures and addresses delivered by then Bishop Luis Antonio Tagle. Those who know Bishop Chito will easily recognize his distinctive voice in these pages. As his former professor, the late Fr. Catalino G. Arevalo SJ, observes, readers can almost “see and hear him in vivo” while reading the texts. Alongside clear and instructive theological reflections, the lectures contain moments of striking insight and a rich blend of human and spiritual depth. Fr. Arevalo notes that the collection reveals Bishop Tagle as a man of intelligence and learning who has already earned an enviable place in the Christian community in the Philippines, across Asia, and beyond—a man truly marked by gaudium et spes, joy and hope.
Read the book here:
“It is the Lord!” Occasional Lectures at Loyola School of Theology (2003)
The second work, Episcopal Collegiality and Vatican II: The Influence of Paul VI (2004), is a major theological study of one of the central themes of the Second Vatican Council—the collegial responsibility of bishops for the universal Church. The book explores how Paul VI addressed the complex and often dramatic discussions on collegiality during the Council. Drawing on extensive research in both published sources and archival materials, the study offers a nuanced and balanced assessment of the role played by Pope Paul VI in shaping the Council’s teaching.
Originally written as Cardinal Tagle’s doctoral dissertation at The Catholic University of America, the study was completed under the mentorship of the noted ecclesiologist Joseph A. Komonchak, one of the foremost scholars of Vatican II. As Komonchak notes in his commendation of the work, the intelligence, sensitivity, and balance displayed in the study make it an important contribution not only to the historical assessment of the pontificate of Paul VI but also to a deeper understanding of issues that remain vital to the life of the Church today.
Read the book here:
Episcopal Collegiality and Vatican II. The Influence of Paul VI (2004)
Cardinal Tagle has long-standing ties with the Loyola School of Theology. During his priestly formation in San Jose Seminary, Ateneo de Manila University, he studied at LST, where he pursued theological studies and was formed within the Ignatian intellectual and spiritual tradition that continues to shape the school’s mission. His later academic work, pastoral leadership, and theological contributions reflect this formation, combining rigorous scholarship with pastoral attentiveness and a deep love for the Church.
By making these works available in open access, LST hopes that students, scholars, pastors, and all those interested in the life and mission of the Church may benefit from the theological insight and pastoral wisdom of Cardinal Tagle. These publications also stand as part of the School’s continuing commitment to contribute to theological reflection in the Philippines, Asia, and the wider Church.
