Episcopal Ordination of Msgr. Francisco Padilla

It was a day of rejoicing for the Padilla family when His Eminence Ricardo J. Cardinal Vidal conferred Episcopal Ordination on the Reverend Monsignor Francisco M. Padilla, Titular Archbishop of Nebbio and Apostolic Nuncio to Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands. Venue of this momentous event was at the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral with His Excellency Most Reverend Ambrose De Paoli, Apostolic Nuncio of Australia and His Excellency Most Reverend Fernando Filoni, Apostolic Nuncio in the Philippines as Co-ordinating Bishops. Most honored guest was Her Excellency, President of the Philippines, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

Hundreds of Catholic believers trooped to the Cathedral to witness the first Episcopal ordination of a Cebuano prelate. We could feel how deeply proud his parents would have been if they were only present. Nevertheless, all his brothers and sisters were in happy attendance including his beloved brother, the Most Rev. Msgr. Osbaldo M. Padilla, Apostolic Nuncio to Costa Rica, who laid hands on him in prayer. It was a touching moment indeed!

Some five hundred guests - relatives and friends - were at the Casino Español to break bread with Msgr. Francisco. In his thanksgiving message, he made mention of the four "D's" his late father, Dr. Tiburcio Padilla, left as a legacy for him to remember: Drive, Dedication, Determination, and Discipline. His dad also instilled in his heart the motto of serving his people with love and charity.

After the ordination of Msgr. Francisco, the two brother-prelates left for Rome together with some sisters (Merle, Rosario and others). And the best part of their trip was their audience with Pope Benedict XVI where all of them were in awe after his personal blessing.

By the way, in happy attendance during the Episcopal Ordination of Msgr. Francisco Montecillo Padilla were his siblings: Dr. Rosario M. Ceniza, Dr. Ernesto Padilla, Atty. Merle P. Cunanan, Carmeling Roa, Aida Padilla, Mercedita Nadera, Gina Aya-ay, Mila Santos Yu and Marietta P. Malinao.