Dumaguete church leaders happy over appointment of new bishop

DUMAGUETE CITY, Philippines — Catholic Church leaders in this city have expressed optimism of a brighter and stronger direction of the diocese following the appointment of Most Rev. Julito Cortes as the new bishop of the Diocese of Dumaguete.

City Administrator William Ablong, who is also president of  the Parish Pastoral Council of Dumaguete, said they were thankful that, after a long wait, the Diocese of Dumaguete has a new bishop.

Pope Francis, in his recent announcement from the Vatican, has appointed Cortes as the 4th prelate of Dumaguete, which for about a year and four months has been without a bishop, and that priests here have held their positions in parishes for almost eight years already.

Ablong said the experiences of Cortes, who served in various capacities in the Diocese of Dumaguete before his assignment as Cebu's auxiliary bishop, can perk up the spiritual life of the faithful in this city.

"Bishop Cortes is orderly, systemized, and very good in planning and decision making. I am sure the priests are happy with this development," he said.

Cortes' appointment was timely for the celebration of Laity Week this week, said Ablong, adding that as such the Diocesan Council for the Laity, the Diocesan Organization of Renewal Movements and Communities and the Parish Pastoral Council will be strengthened.

These Church-based groups were affected by the absence of a bishop and had slowed down in their movement that past year or so, he said.

Father Enrique Thaddeu Balongag, president of the diocesan-owned Colegio de Sta. Catalina de Alejandria (and academic dean of the St. Joseph Seminary College, also said he believed in the competency and skills of Cortes as a bishop. "It's worth the long wait. We can be able to pastorally move forward," he said. 

Monsignor Glen Corsiga, rector of the St. Joseph Seminary College, was thankful for the appointment of Cortes, whom he described as a "coming home for him." The 57-year-old Cortes, who hails from Siquijor, has served as rector of the seminary for 10 years. "The seminary is glad and proud that he (Cortes) is coming back," he said.

Cortes, in a text message to this reporter, said: "The date of installation will be finalized when the Nunciature gives a go signal after consultation with key people. I feel overwhelmed at the task. But I am grateful for the trust of the Holy Father for this assignment. It is by God's compassion and mercy that I am back as Bishop of Dumaguete," added Cortes who had just came back from a trip to New Jersey, U.S.A. — (FREEMAN)