VATICAN (RVA News): In a moment of profound reflection, Cardinal-elect Pablo Virgilio David, the bishop of Kalookan, the Philippines, and head of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, recalled the whirlwind of emotions that followed the unexpected announcement of his new role as a cardinal in the Catholic Church.
On what seemed to be an ordinary Sunday morning on October 6, after an intense synod schedule at the Collegio Filippino in Rome, Bishop David was relishing a rare moment of rest.
He had finally managed to get eight full hours of sleep and was preparing for his afternoon Mass at the Chaplaincy for Filipino Migrants. While crafting his homily over what he referred to as his “Coffee with Jesus,” an unexpected phone call interrupted the calm.
“It was an international call,” Bishop David recalled in a post on his Facebook account, “so I refrained from answering it because of the costs, never suspecting that someone from the Vatican was trying to reach me.”
Unaware of the significance of that missed call, Bishop David continued with his day. At noon, everything changed. A WhatsApp message arrived from the procurator at the Collegio Filippino, congratulating him. Confused, Bishop David simply replied, “For what?”
Bishop David compared his experience to that of the prophet Elijah, who encountered God’s presence not in the storm but in a gentle breeze. ‘It penetrated my soul and prepared me for this new chapter of my life and ministry,’ he reflected
When the procurator informed him of his appointment as a cardinal, David’s reaction was one of disbelief: “Joke?!” But soon enough, a video clip from the Vatican newsfeed confirmed the truth—Pope Francis had announced his name after the Angelus.
“Suddenly, I was caught in a whirlwind of messages,” he recalled. Overwhelmed by the flood of congratulatory texts, he took a step back, setting aside his phone to focus. “I put down my phone and did a five-minute breathing exercise to calm myself.”
As the rush subsided, Bishop David compared his experience to that of the prophet Elijah, who encountered God’s presence not in the storm but in a gentle breeze. “It penetrated my soul and prepared me for this new chapter of my life and ministry,” he reflected.
In that moment of stillness, the bishop humbly placed his trust in God. “I said, ‘Ok, Lord. My life is in your hands.’”
As we celebrate the 500 years of Christianity in the Philippines. The Chaplaincy to Filipino Migrants organises an on-line talk every Tuesday at 9.00pm. You can join us at:
https://www.Facebook.com/CFM-Gifted-to-give-101039001847033
Ok, Lord. My life is in your hands
Bishop David
His appointment marks a personal milestone and a testament to his lifelong dedication to serving God’s people with unwavering faith, humility, and courage.
Throughout his ministry, Bishop David has been an advocate for the poor and marginalised, a voice for justice amid oppression, and a steadfast defender of human dignity.
Born on 2 March 1959, in Betis, Guagua, Pampanga, the Philippines, Bishop David is renowned for his intellectual rigour, pastoral sensitivity, and deep concern for social justice.
After obtaining a bachelor’s degree in pre-divinity from Ateneo de Manila University, he pursued theological studies at the Loyola School of Theology. He later completed a licentiate and a doctorate in Sacred Theology at the Catholic University of Louvain, Belgium.
His scholarly background has deeply informed his ministry, especially in his role as the bishop of Kalookan—one of the areas most affected by the Philippine government’s anti-drug campaign.
Bishop David has courageously spoken out against extrajudicial killings and violence, using his platform to defend the sanctity of life and the rights of the vulnerable.
The bishop’s commitment to justice, peace, and reconciliation has made him a prominent figure in the Church’s mission to uphold human dignity. His work, particularly in addressing the plight of the poor and marginalised, remains a beacon of hope for many.
As he prepares for this new chapter in his life as a cardinal, Bishop David’s prayerful words—”Lord, my life is in your hands”—resonate as a testament to his deep faith and unwavering trust in God’s guidance.
