Bishop Villegas named new bishop of Balanga
Manila (AsiaNews) - Yesterday, the Holy Father named Auxiliary Bishop of Manila, Socrates Villegas, as the new Bishop of the Diocese of Balanga, in the province of Bataan, north of Manila.
The appointment came via Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines, Archbishop Antonio Franco.
The Archbishop of Manila, Gaudencio Rosales, made the formal announcement yesterday at his residence Villa Immaculada, to members of the Archdiocesan church council, as well as to the bishop's co-workers and the community of the Shrine of Our Lady Queen of Peace/Edsa, where the Most Reverend Villegas had been rector since its establishment in December 1989.The Archbishop encouraged Bishop Villegas on his new appointment, saying, "Every change is full of doubts and hesitation, but we do this for God, and God will make sure that you will mature. God will entrust to you great responsibilities if you generously respond." In turn, Bishop Villegas admitted being "afraid" of the new position, but sees his new diocese as a 'mission'. "I open myself to the graces of God and allow Him to work through me. God will do the work for me in Balanga. It will not be my work, but God's work."Bishop Villegas was born on September 8, 1960 in Pateros, in the outskirts of Manila. He completed studies and seminary formation at San Carlos Seminary of the Archdiocese of Manila and was ordained a priest on October 5, 1985. Since then, he served as Secretary to Cardinal Jaime Sin and, until the Cardinal's retirement in September of last year, was the official spokesman of the Archdiocese. He was consecrated as a bishop on August 31, 2001.Bishop Villegas is a popular speaker and widely regarded preacher, and the author of seven books containing his homilies and talks from retreats and other events. He is the Chairman of the Episcopal Commission on Catechesis and Catholic Education of the Catholic Bishops' Conference.Bishop Villegas is expected to be installed in Balanga by July 2004. (S.E.)
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08/11/2018 14:47
