Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
We publish below the letter of condolence addressed by the Dicastery for Evangelization (Section for First Evangelization and New Particular Churches) to Cardinal Luis Antonio G. Tagle, Pro-Prefect of the same missionary Dicastery, and to his family, following the death of his beloved father, Manuel “Tatay Maning” Tagle.
Fides missionary Agency, together with the entire staff of the missionary Dicastery, also joins Cardinal Tagle in mourning the death of his beloved “Tatay Maning”.
§§§
Vatican City, September 7, 2026
Your Eminence,
On the death of your beloved father, Mr Manuel “Tatay Maning” Tagle, we wish to convey to Your Eminence and your family the heartfelt condolences and affectionate remembrance in prayer of all of us in the Dicastery for Evangelization.
The bonds which unite us in the shared service of the Church have, over the years, grown into a true sense of family. It is in this spirit that we share in your sorrow and join you, Nanay Mila, Kuya Nonoy and all your loved ones in commending Tatay Maning with confidence to the infinite mercy of God.
Some among us had the privilege of knowing Tatay Maning personally, especially during his visit to Rome with Nanay Mila and Kuya Nonoy, when they also came to the Dicastery. We remember with affection his warmth, simplicity and gracious presence. Those who did not have that privilege have nevertheless come to know something of the man he was through Your Eminence: in the faith, kindness, patience and fatherly solicitude which you bring to your service of the Church and so generously extend to us. In these qualities, we recognize something of the home and family in which they were first nurtured. We recall with particular affection their recent celebration of seventy years of marriage, a remarkable witness to fidelity, devotion and a lifetime shared in love.
In the sadness of this parting, we find consolation in the words of the Lord: “I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live” (Jn 11:25).
Sustained by this faith, we entrust Tatay Maning to the merciful hands of the Father and profess with the Church that, for those who believe in Christ, life is changed, not ended.
As your father completes his earthly pilgrimage and enters into the fullness of eternal life, the family of the Dicastery expresses its closeness and fraternal solidarity by sending the Undersecretary to be with you in person. We assure Your Eminence, Nanay Mila, Kuya Nonoy and the entire family of our special remembrance in our prayers during these difficult days.
We pray especially for the eternal repose of Tatay Maning, confident that the Lord, whom he loved and served throughout his long life, will welcome him into the peace and joy of His Kingdom. May the same Lord remain close to Your Eminence and your family, sustain you in your sorrow, and grant you the consolation and strength born of Christian hope.
With sentiments of profound esteem, affection and prayerful communion,
✠ Fortunatus NWACHUKWU — Secretary
✠ Samuele SANGALLI — Adjunct Secretary
Msgr Erwin BALAGAPO — Undersecretary
Fr. Tadeusz NOWAK, OMI — Coordinator for the Pontifical Mission Societies
(Fides News Agency, 10/9/2026)
Cardinal Tagle celebrates his father’s funeral Mass in Imus: “Eternal Life is to remain close to Jesus”
Manuel “Tatay Maning”, father of Cardinal Tagle, returns to the Father’s House
Cardinal Tagle to the new Bishops of the new Churches: let us walk together in this time of “missionary conversion”
VATICAN - Tribalism and the Church, Archbishop Nwachukwu to new bishops: “A bishop is not bishop of one group or another; he is bishop of all”