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Rev. Fernando Filoni, D.D. apostolic nuncio in the Philippines and dean of the
Diplomatic Corps will install Bishop Leonardo Y. Medroso as the new bishop of
the Diocese of Tagbilaran, vice Bishop Leopoldo Tumulak who was earlier appointed
bishop of the military ordinariate of the Philippines, but was appointed as diocesan
administrator while waiting for the assumption of the new bishop.
The
Canonical possession of the diocese of Tagbilaran with Medroso installed as the
new bishop is set at 9:30 this morning at the St. Joseph Cathedral.
The
solemn installation rites will be covered live by stations dyRD and dyZD, member
stations of the Catholic Media Network (CMN). Yesterday's arrival motorcade was
likewise covered live on radio including the testimonial dinner last night at
the Bohol Cultural Center hosted by the provincial and city governments.
From
the port, a motorcade brought Bishop Medroso to the Cathedral for the Te Deum,
the liturgical reception where outgoing Bishop Tumulak officially welcomed his
successor.
Apostolic
Nuncio Filoni arrived yesterday afternoon at the city airport where he was afforded
planeside military honors. He will install the new bishop this morning at the
cathedral.
Medroso
is the sixth bishop of this 55-year old diocese with 171 priests and 146 nuns
working in 50 parishes. He arrived yesterday morning with some 300 parishioners
from the Diocese of Borongan, Samar where he served for 19 years. He was escorted
by priests, lay from the Archdiocese of Palo, Diocese of Borongan and Diocese
of Naval together with seven provincial officials of Borongan,
ARRIVAL
SCENES
Tumulak,
who will wrap up his 14 years as bishop of the Tagbilaran Diocese led welcomers
at the city port yesterday morning where a huge flock of the faithful welcomed
the bishop.
Hundreds
of parishioners, mostly students, lined up city streets waiving yellow and white
flags to welcome the new bishop as the well-decorated vehicle passed by the city's
main thoroughfares, from the city port to the cathedral.
Tumulak
also joined Medroso aboard the float during the motorcade.
RITE
OF LITURGICAL RECEPTION
The
new bishop was met at the St. Joseph Cathedral by the diocesan liturgist Fr. Jose
Sinforiano Monton and Fr. Harold Parilla, the Chancellor of the Diocese who introduced
Medroso to Msgr. Cirilo Darunday, the moderator curia.
| | | Medroso
was then escorted into the Cathedral's vestibule and met by Tagbilaran Parish
Priest Fr. Crispin Varquez and Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary Rector Fr. Martin
Lupiba.
Medroso
was introduced to the diocesan board of consultors.
After
introductions were made, a solemn procession followed into the Cathedral's altar
while Bishop Medroso was seated at the foot of the sanctuary where a special chair
and kneeler were prepared for the purpose. |
Bishop
Tumulak opened the rites with an opening prayer and greetings while Msgr. Darunday
delivered welcome remarks thanking Pope Benedict XVI for having appointed a new
bishop for the diocese.
Tumulak
welcomed his successor by thanking him for accepting the new assignment as he
also assured Medroso that parishioners are happy and willing to help in looking
after the diocese.
Outgoing
bishop Tumulak was saddened as he will miss parishioners which he served for almost
fifteen years while he expressed joy that finally a new successor will take care
of the diocese which had "deepened his faith."
Tumulak
assured the faithful gathered yesterday that Medroso will serve the Boholanos
well as the latter is a Canon Lawyer.
After
the liturgical rites, Medroso allowed those who were gathered at the Cathedral
to greet and kiss his hand.
In
an interview with the Chronicle right after the liturgical rites, Medroso thanked
the Boholanos for the warm welcome given to him yesterday.
Medroso
said he will listen to the people of the faith as he starts his second diocesan
assignment and appealed for Boholanos to pray for him so he could serve well the
Diocese of Tagbilaran.
Yesterday's
live coverage over station dyRD was anchored by Atoy Cosap and Fr. Jose "Joesum"
Sumampong.
WHO
IS BISHOP MEDROSO
Medroso
is one of the highly respected bishops being presently the chairman of the episcopal
commission on Canon Law of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines
(CBCP).
He
is the sixth bishop of the 55-year old Diocese of Tagbilaran which was established
on Nov. 8, 1941.
The
incoming bishop hails from Ormoc City. He served several positions before assuming
as chairman of the respected CBCP commission on Canon Law. He was the former vicar
general of the Archdiocese of Palo and chancellor-secretary consultor, while he
served as parish priest of Tolosa, Tacloban City, Tanauan and Palo, all in Leyte
province. His first assignment after ordination was parochial vicar of Barugo,
Leyte.
He
was ordained priest on March 30, 1963 after completing his studies at the Sacred
Heart Seminary.
His
theology and doctorate in canon law were completed at the University of Santo
Tomas Central Seminary.
Tumulak
briefly described the incoming bishop as "friendly and a low-profile church
leader.
The
previous bishops were Julio R. Rosales (appointed in 1946), Manuel M. Mascariñas
(appointed in 1951), Onesimo C. Gordoncillo (appointed in 1976), Felix S. Zafra
(appointed in 1986) and Tumulak (appointed in 1992).
Tagbilaran
diocese covers a population of more than a half million wherein 95 percent of
whom are Catholics. It has 171 priests and 146 nuns working in 50 parishes. | 
