Orlando Beltran Quevedo was born on 11 March 1939 in Laoag, Ilocos Norte, and grew up in the Philippine south. He entered the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate (OMI) and was ordained a priest on 5 June 1964 in Washington, D.C., where he completed graduate studies in religious education and sacred theology. Appointed to the prelature of Kidapawan in 1980 (becoming its first diocesan bishop in 1982), he was promoted to the metropolitan see of Nueva Segovia in 1986 and, on 30 May 1998, named Archbishop of Cotabato by John Paul II; a post he held until his retirement on 6 November 2018.
Quevedo served as President of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (1999–2003) and as President of the Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences (2005–2011), having earlier been its Secretary General. Pope Francis created him a cardinal in the consistory of 22 February 2014, assigning him the titular church of Santa Maria "Regina Mundi" a Torre Spaccata. He was the first cardinal drawn from Mindanao, and ceased to be a cardinal-elector on his 80th birthday in March 2019.
His enduring work has been peace-building in Mindanao, a region long scarred by conflict among Christian, Muslim, and Lumad (Indigenous) communities. He took part in the Bishops-Ulama forum that brought Catholic bishops, Protestant pastors, and Muslim ulama into sustained dialogue, and he lent moral support to the Bangsamoro peace process. Known widely as Mindanao's "Man of Peace," he framed the region's troubles as fundamentally political rather than religious, and grounded his ministry in an Oblate ethic of simplicity and solidarity with the poor.
Consequential Quotes
It is a political struggle and not a religious struggle.
we have to be role models of simplicity and humility. It is by our life style and our own behavior that we can speak louder
there is still so much of bias and prejudice among Muslims and Christians alike
Major Works & Initiatives
Bishops-Ulama forum in Mindanao
Took part in the pioneering interfaith body bringing Catholic bishops, Protestant pastors, and Muslim ulama together for dialogue and cooperation across the religious divide in Mindanao.
President, Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines
Led the national bishops' conference (CBCP) before his elevation to the cardinalate.
President, Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences
Headed the continental body of Asian bishops after serving as its Secretary General, shaping the Asian Church's emphasis on the triple dialogue with cultures, religions, and the poor.
Advocacy for the Bangsamoro peace process
As Archbishop of Cotabato and Mindanao's first cardinal, supported the government–MILF peace track, urging conversion of mind and heart among the region's diverse peoples.