1st Pinoy bishop in US arrives

The first Filipino bishop to be ordained in the United States arrived yesterday for a homecoming visit as a series of celebrations would be held in his honor in Manila and his home province of Nueva Ecija.

Bishop Oscar Azarcon Solis, who was ordained to the episcopacy and appointed as Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles last Feb. 10, will pay courtesy calls on the Apostolic Papal Nuncio Most Reverend Antonio Franco and on Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Rosales.

Solis, 50, took time out from the hectic schedule of his new ministry and coordinating outreach pastoral efforts for ethnic groups within his Los Angeles archdiocese, to "retrace important relationships" which he said have "helped mold him."

"This is truly an exciting homecoming for me," said the native of San Jose, Nueva Ecija. "I will be visiting places that have been part and parcel of my life and ministry. Most important of all, I am coming home with a spirit of deep gratitude."

Pope John Paul II named Solis to his present post last December. He is now one of the five auxiliary bishops of the 8,762 square-mile archdiocese which covers three counties — Los Angeles, Ventura and Santa Barbara.

There are about five million Catholics out of 11 million residents in the archdiocese where Masses are held every Sunday in 42 languages, including Filipino.

Home to some 400,000 Filipinos, the archdiocese incorporates 287 church parishes in 120 cities.

Solis is specifically tasked to minister ethnic groups throughout the archdiocese to strengthen ties within these communities.

"It is truly a great honor to be of service to the diverse cultural communities of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles," Solis said.

The bishop expressed confidence that as head of the Ethnic Ministry Office, he will serve as a "strong link" among Filipinos here and abroad.

The Philippines is a predominantly Catholic nation of some 84 million people. Hard life and inadequate employment opportunities have sent about seven million Filipinos to work abroad, many of them in the US and the Middle East.

Solis said Filipinos who will come to his archdiocese "will discover a familiar spiritual and religious setting that will help them relate to their faith experiences at home."

This as he vowed to embark on his "mission" to build "inclusive communities" in church parishes there.

While in the country, Solis will celebrate Mass at the Manila Cathedral on Wednesday at 5 p.m. as well as in various areas like the University of Sto. Tomas Seminary, Nueva Ecija, Cabanatuan City and Antipolo City.

Solis has served in the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux in Louisiana for 15 years as associate pastor of the St. Joseph Co-Cathedral from 1988 to 1992.

He has also become a pastor of Our Lady of Prompt Succor Church from 1993 to 1999 and pastor of St. Joseph Co-Cathedral and St. Luke Church from 1999 to 2003.

Solis has also served as board member of various community organizations including the Crossroads Pregnancy Resource Center, also in Louisiana, of which he is founding board member.