Bishop Cortes sets priests' reshuffling in 2014

DUMAGUETE CITY, Philippines — Newly installed Bishop Julito Cortes of the Diocese of Dumaguete has announced that a reshuffling of assignments of priests in the diocese will take place in April next year.

The 57-year-old Cortes was installed the fourth ordinary of the Diocese of Dumaguete in rites at the Cathedral of St. Catherine of Alexandria in this city Thursday.

Cortes said the reshuffling is among the top priorities in his to-do list considering that majority of the priests in the diocese are already overstaying in their current assignments by up to almost eight years, off the regular term of six years in a particular post.

The appointment of the former Dumaguete bishop, the Most Rev. John Du, who was named archbishop of Palo Archdiocese in Leyte on May 2012 had resulted in a freeze of new assignments for the priests in Dumaguete.

Cortes said he will be visiting the different parishes and meeting with the clergy and the Parish Pastoral Councils (PPCs) for inputs in the next few months to help him in the reshuffling implementation.

The announcement of new posts will be made on April 15, 2014 (Holy Tuesday) during the Chrism Mass and renewal of priestly vows at the Cathedral, said the bishop.

There are at least 50 parishes in the Diocese of Dumaguete, which covers the towns and cities of Negros Oriental from Basay town in the south and Jimalalud in the north, as well as the island-province of Siquijor.

Cortes further announced Sunday the appointments of Msgr. Gamaliel Tulabing as the vicar general and Fr. Carmelito Limbaga, Jr. as the vice chancellor of the diocese.

Tulabing previously held the position but was named diocesan administrator after Du left for Palo, Leyte.  (FREEMAN)