MANILA, Jan. 5, 2011—The Archdiocese of Cebu is all set for the installation of its 4th archbishop.
His Eminence Ricardo J. Cardinal Vidal and Auxiliary Bishops Julito B. Cortes and Emilio L. Bataclan have long prepared for the historic Eucharistic Celebration and Canonical Installation of Archbishop Jose Palma as the metropolitan’s fourth archbishop.
Cardinal Vidal, now 79 years old will preside over the Eucharistic Celebration and Canonical Installation in the presence of another senior Filipino prelate, Manila Archbishop Gaudencio B. Cardinal Rosales and the Papal Nuncio in the Philippines Archbishop Edward Joseph Adams on Thursday, January 13, 2011 at exactly 9:00 .am.
The event is well considered as a homecoming because Archbishop Palma was appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Cebu on November 28, 1997.
Archbishop Palma, now 60 years old, was born on March 19, 1950 in Dingle, Iloilo and was ordained priest on August 21, 1976. His Episcopal ordination took place on January 13, 1998.
On January 13, 1999, he was appointed Bishop of Calbayog and was installed on March 9, 1999.
As bishop of Calbayog, Palma denounced the human rights violations committed against local residents by military troopers under then 8th Infantry Division’s Maj. General Jovito Palparan.
He was appointed Archbishop of Palo on March 19, 2006 and was installed on May 2, 2006.
On July 11, 2009, he was elected Vice President of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines.
Archbishop Palma becomes the 24th prelate to administer the ecclesial province of Cebu since August 30, 1595 when Augustinian Friar Pedro de Agurto was appointed first bishop of the newly-created diocese. (Melo M. Acuna)
