José Fuerte Advincula, Jr. was born on 30 March 1952 in Dumalag, in the Archdiocese of Capiz, in the Western Visayas region of the Philippines. He was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Capiz on 14 April 1976 and served as spiritual director, professor, and dean of studies at Saint Pius X Seminary. He is a diocesan priest — not a member of a religious institute; the "O.P." sometimes attached to his name reflects his later admission to the Priestly Fraternities of St. Dominic, a Dominican association for secular clergy, not membership in the Order of Preachers.
Named Bishop of San Carlos in 2001 (consecrated 8 September 2001), he was appointed Metropolitan Archbishop of Capiz by Pope Benedict XVI on 9 November 2011. Pope Francis created him a cardinal in the consistory of 28 November 2020, assigning him the titular church of San Vigilio. On 25 March 2021, the Feast of the Annunciation, Francis appointed him the 33rd Archbishop of Manila, succeeding Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle; he was installed at the Manila Cathedral on 24 June 2021.
Advincula is known for a gentle, unassuming pastoral manner captured in his episcopal motto "Audiam" ("I will listen"), drawn from the young Samuel's response to God (1 Samuel 3:10). He has closely aligned his ministry with Pope Francis's vision of a synodal, listening Church attentive to the poor and the peripheries, and serves as a member of the Dicastery for Bishops and the Dicastery for the Clergy.
Consequential Quotes
My beloved brothers and sisters in Christ, I have nothing new to tell you today except my commitment to renew my heart's desire to be a listening shepherd to the flock entrusted to my care
It is my ardent desire to listen to all but especially to the lambs which represent our youth and other people in the peripheries
I cannot feed my flock unless I listen first to their needs, their longings
God has called me to get away from my comfort zone, and serve Him in a manner far beyond my expectations
Major Works & Initiatives
33rd Archbishop of Manila
Installed 24 June 2021 as head of the premier see of the Philippines, succeeding Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle.
Synod on Synodality — Manila launch
Opened the archdiocese's diocesan phase of the Synod, pledging to listen to and journey with all groups, including those on the peripheries.
Reorganization of the Archdiocese of Manila
Restructured archdiocesan ministries and offices around 'synodal shepherding,' assigning clergy through a Charism Discernment process.
Cardinal-Priest of San Vigilio
Created cardinal by Pope Francis, 28 November 2020; member of the Dicastery for Bishops and the Dicastery for the Clergy.
Controversies
A synodal, Francis-era profile
Advincula's Manila is squarely aligned with Pope Francis's synodal program, and his tenure has drawn little public dispute. His liturgical record is mainstream: the Philippine bishops' conference publicly supported Traditionis Custodes in July 2021, weeks after his installation, and the Archdiocese of Manila maintained no notable provision for the Traditional Latin Mass under him. On public morality he holds conventional Catholic positions — calling the 2024 absolute-divorce bill 'not a magic pill that can solve marital problems' — while stressing pastoral listening over condemnation.