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The Superior General
of the Congregation of the Passionist (CP) in Rome, Italy, Most Rev. Ottavio D'Egidio,
has appointed Rev. Fr. Apolinario (Pol) A. Plaza, CP of Baclayon, Bohol as the
new Superior of the CP community and house in Bethany, on the Mount of Olives
near Jerusalem, Israel.
In
a letter dated 16 May 2008 by the Most Rev. E'gidio to Fr. Plaza, he stated that
"your experience as a (CP) Provincial Superior (in the Philippines) for two
terms, the times you have served as a Provincial Consultor and all your experience
in formation and pastoral work in parishes is something we feel certain will be
of immense help to you in successfully carrying out your duties as Superior in
Bethany." |
| | The
CP Community house in Bethany is said to be the original house of Lazarus and
his two sisters Mary and Martha all good friends of Jesus while he was still on
earth. Currently,
the CP community in Bethany is made up of three religious priests of different
nationalities, and soon to be joined by three Polish seminarians, one Italian
seminarian and one seminarian from Peru. Added to which will be all those pilgrims
who visit the Holy Land from all over the world who for some, will seek hospitality
with the CP community. | Prior
to his travel to Israel this month, Fr. Pol (as he is commonly called) was invited
by their Suprior General to visit the CP General House in Rome, Italy in order
to get a better idea of what to expect regarding his new role and at the same
time to have a clearer vision of the objectives and purpose of the Bethany community
in Israel. Fr. Pol is the first Filipino to be appointed as the Superior of the
Passionists in Bethany, Israel.
Fr.
Plaza is the 11th child of the 15 siblings of the late Alejandrino Plaza Sr. and
the late Carpofora Plaza of Baclayon, Bohol. Two other brothers are also missionary
priests, Passionist and SVD. The latter had died a year ago due to lingering illness.
One of this sisters is a nun of the daughters of Mary Leuca Congregation assigned
at the DML Montessori School in Balauan, La Union. |
