MANILA, June 3, 2013—Newly-appointed Bishop of Imus Most Rev. Rey Evangelista is set to be installed in solemn ceremonies at 9 a.m. on June 5 at the Our Lady of the Pillar Cathedral by Papal nuncio to the Philippines Archbishop Giuseppe Pinto.
Evangelista’s installation will be graced by the presence of three Filipino cardinals: Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales, Archbishop-emeritus of Manila; Ricardo Cardinal Vidal, Archbishop-emeritus of Cebu; and Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle, Archbishop of Manila.
“Aside from the three cardinals, more than 50 bishops from all over the country also confirmed their attendance in this momentous event,” Fr. Allan Valero, the parish priest of the Cathedral-parish said.
Arrival honors and welcome ceremony will be held in front of the Cathedral to formally welcome the new bishop.
One of the highlights in the installation will be the traditional dance of Caviteños, known as ‘Caracol’, during the offertory.
Valero said the traditional dance will be performed by the lay faithful who will offer the gifts to the bishop.
“Those faithful are coming from communities that we call ‘mananayaw’ or from the old towns in Cavite. But I’m not sure if Bishop Rey will dance,” Valero said.
According to him, when then Imus Bishop Tagle was ordained and installed as bishop of Imus, he joined the dancing.
But Valero believes Bishop Evangelista will try to dance ‘Caracol’.
The Papal Nuncio and the three Filipino Cardinals will give their messages after the Holy Communion.
The Our Lady of the Pillar, the Patroness of the diocese will be presented and blessed by Evangelista after the messages are given.
A simple reception will follow after the installation.
To have time for bonding with their new “father” in the diocese, the clergy will join the bishop in the evening for benediction and vespers.
Also attending the installation aside from the lay faithful in Cavite, are the faithful and clergy from Batangas and Diocese of Boac.
For Valero, he said he is personally excited to have a new bishop after waiting for one year. He said he is also looking forward to work with his new bishop.
Bishop Evangelista was the bishop of Boac before being appointed by Pope Francis last April to head the Diocese of Imus.
He was the first Filipino prelate to be appointed by the new Pontiff. (Jandel Posion)
