For Naval (Biliran) diocese; New bishop to flock: ‘I will walk with you’

PALO, LEYTE, Philippines — Monsignor Rex Ramirez was ordained yesterday as the new bishop, during an episcopal ordination rites held at the Metropolitan Cathedral of Our Lord’s Configuration in Palo, Leyte.

Ramirez, who promised to give the faithful under his care, will be officially installed as the new bishop of Naval Diocese in Biliran by Palo Archbishop John Du on January 12 at the Cathedral of Naval.

“I will be there and I will walk with you,” said the 49-year-old Ramirez to his flock in Naval, as he succeeds Bishop Emeritus Felomino Bactol who will be turning 78 on November 29. Bactol, who served as first bishop of Naval, will however continue to serve in the diocese as its administrator.

Ramirez said he will not be the kind of church leader who will be swayed by political pressure or influenced by squabbles among political leaders and local chief executives.

“There are officials whom I know do not meet eye-to-eye. My role as a bishop is clear to me. I will stand by what the Church stands for. I am there for the Church and … as the Church’s representative,” said the second bishop of the Naval Diocese, which was created only on November 29, 1988.

Naval is a suffragan diocese, which covers the whole Biliran island-province and the towns of Calubian, Leyte, San Isidro and Tabango in Leyte province.

Ramirez said he might be introducing into the Diocese of Naval — comprising 16 parishes — some programs similar to those in the Diocese of Palo, such as the construction of a formation house for priests and the religious sisters

When asked about a possible reshuffle of the clergy, Ramirez said he will have to get to know the priests of Naval first before giving them new assignments. He also vowed to continue to strengthen the diocese’s ties with other dioceses in the Palo Archdiocese, and further plans to call for regular presbyterial meetings with his clergy for more effective coordination.

 “I will begin with the end in mind. I know Archbishop Du will support Naval,” said Ramirez. “This confirms my faith in the Lord,” said Ramirez, who now heads the youngest diocese in the Palo Archdiocese, after being the vicar general of the Palo Archdiocese and the rector of the Palo Cathedral.

Father Gilbert Urbina, Palo Archdiocesan liturgist, called Ramirez’ ordination “a time for our spiritual gratitude,” noting that Ramirez is the fourth cleric from the Diocese of Palo to be installed bishop.

The three others were Zamboanga Archbishop Lino Gonzaga, then Palo Archbishop Cipriano Urgel, and retired Tagbilaran Bishop Leonardo Medrozo.

In 2015, Pope Francis also appointed Father Oscar Jaime Florencio, a formator from the Archdiocese of Palo and former rector of St. John the Evangelist School of Theology, as auxilliary bishop of Cebu.

Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma, who once was with Palo Archdiocese, also attended Ramirez’s episcopal ordination.

Monsignor Erlito Maraya, Palo Archdiocesan vicar-general, said the decision to hold Ramirez’ ordination rites in Palo was due to the poor road conditions leading to Naval, capital town of Biliran, which was devastated by tropical storm Urduja early December last year.

Maraya said Papal Nuncio to the Philippines Gabriele Giordano Caccia was unable to attend the ordination of Ramirez, due to a prior commitment with President Rodrigo Duterte. — with CBCP News reports (FREEMAN)