2014-03-17  With Cardinal Orly Quevedo O.M.I. of the Philippines
at Notre Dame College in Hong Kong

 

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In the course of a very happy two hour gathering (including lunch) Cardinal Orly shared many things and told many stories, mostly of a lighter nature: e.g.

* The history of the English language - very simple:
1. Born in England
2. Grew up in the USA
3. Got sick in India
4. Died in Australia

(Cardinal Pell not amused when Orly told him this one)

*  Orly's appointment was made public before he knew about it! No consultation. Even Nuncio did not know!  When someone first told him, he thought it was a mistake ..... Cebu usually has a cardinal. Then when he checked his mobile, lots of strange messages. At first he thought there had been another disaster (like the recent typhoon). Then he checked a message from Cardinal Tagle: "Congratulations".  Then a phone call from Cardinal Tagle.  Orly's response: "A disaster indeed"!  (More details in this report)

* Pope Francis due to go to Cebu for Eucharistic Congress in January 2016  (...and maybe a visit this year ...on way to/from Korea??)

* Humorous story of  when he went to a phone shop

* Story of when a very young Fr Tagle was introduced to Pope John Paul II:  Pope asked him "have you made your First Communion yet?

* Cardinal Francis George O.M.I. (Chicago) is battling not only cancer but some sort of heart problem as well

* (joke): Three Chinese navy vellels had confrontation with one Philippine navy vessel  in South China Sea.  Chinese boats went round and round the P boat to intimidate it, but P boat did not leave.  Eventually the Chinese boats left.  When people heard this story they congratulated the P boat commander for his bravery. He answered "Not bravery ...we ran out of fuel and could not move"!

* I asked him to ask Pope Francis to allow deacons to administer the Sacrament of the Sick.  He said this is not a problem in the Philippines where catechists administer an unofficial (?) liturgy for the sick.  He also said there had been a recent updating about deacons and the Sacrament of the Sick ....but I can't find anything on Google ...just lots of articles explaining why deacons may not administer the SS ...and/or why they should be allowed to administer the SS.  I mentioned how in HK many people cannot find a priest for SS.

* President Aquino attended reception Mass for Cardinal Orly in Cotabato (ordering airport to open, ordering PAL to make flights) ... report