CARDINAL Pablo Virgilio David of Kalookan has received his first appointment to the Roman Curia, joining the Vatican’s Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith. This marks a significant milestone for the Filipino cardinal, who was formally elevated to the College of Cardinals on December 7, 2024.
David is among 19 of the 21 new cardinals recently assigned to key Vatican institutions, allowing them to contribute their expertise and perspectives to Pope Francis’ governance of the global Catholic Church.
The Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, one of the most critical offices in the Vatican, is tasked with promoting and safeguarding faith and morals, addressing marriage annulments, and guiding the Church’s response to societal and scientific advancements. It operates with two sections: doctrinal, which oversees theological issues, and disciplinary, which handles delicts, including clerical sexual abuse cases.
David will work alongside Cardinals Jaime Spengler of Brazil, Ignace Bessi Dogbo of Côte d’Ivoire, and Roberto Repole of Italy, under the leadership of Cardinal Victor Manuel Fernández of Argentina, who has headed the dicastery since September 2023.
The assignment comes shortly after reforms to the dicastery under Pope Francis, which enhanced its structure to better address doctrinal and disciplinary matters.
Cardinal David has served as the bishop of Kalookan since 2016 and currently leads the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP). His new role at the Vatican adds to his growing influence in the Church, as he brings his pastoral experience and theological insights to the central offices of the Holy See.