Pope Benedict XVI may appoint before Christmas the replacement of Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales, who surpassed the retirement age for bishops four years ago.
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) said Rosales hinted that the Vatican may name his successor even before November.
“I think it’s before Christmas… I’ve been looking forward to this (retirement) and it will be granted already,” said Rosales, who turned 79 on August 16.
Rosales tendered his resignation in 2007 when he turned 75, the retirement age for bishops, but the pope extended his term “indefinitely”.
In the report, Rosales said his greatest achievement was encountering different people, particularly the poor.
“I think it’s having been given the opportunity to get to know the poor more, the good hearted people, the generous people who continuously help the Church. I thank all of them,” the CBCP quoted him as saying.
Rosales succeeded the late Archbishop Jaime Cardinal Sin in 2003.
Sin, who was instrumental in the EDSA People Power Revolution in 1986, passed away in June 2005.