DAGUPAN CITY, Nov. 4, 2009─Calling his predecessor as unique and irreplaceable and a person larger than life, the newly-installed archbishop of Lingayen-Dagupan assured his congregation that he will continue the great work his predecessor has left behind.
Archbishop Socrates Villegas said he treads “on the footsteps of a great man of the Church, an epic man who is himself larger than life, Archbishop Oscar V. Cruz”.
“I will only try to continue, using my very limited talents, the great work that he has left behind in the Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan,” he said.
Cruz was rector at the San Carlos Seminary in Makati City where Villegas took his seminary studies.
“With a deep sense of unworthiness and obedience to the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, I accept the mission to be pastor of the Church,” Villegas said.
Recalling his priestly ordination he said he was “called to be a priest” and was given “a revolutionary Cardinal as mentor and guide.”
As a young priest, Villegas served as secretary to Cardinal Jaime Sin, a post he held for 15 years until he was ordained Auxiliary bishop of Manila in 2001.
He also served as Rector of the Shrine of Mary, Queen of Peace at EDSA, from 1989 until 2004.
Villegas said his priesthood “was born from the dawn of EDSA people power in 1986” and his vocation was “nurtured by the street revolutionaries of EDSA Shrine.”
One of the most well-attended events
With two of the country’s three cardinals and about 70 archbishops and bishops from all over the country in attendance, this morning’s installation rites of Archbishop Socrates Villegas may yet be one of the most well-attended events in the Catholic church in recent years.
About 500 priests from Manila, Lingayen-Dagupan, Balanga, Antipolo, Kalookan, Pasig, Paranaque, Cubao and Novaliches filled nearly a fourth of the enormous cathedral.
CBCP President and Jaro Archbishop Angel N. Lagdameo told CBCPNews he jokingly told the prelates they could have their “assembly” after the installation rites.
“He (Archbishop Villegas) went out of his way to invite his fellow bishops to this occasion,” Lagdameo said.
Incoming CBCP Vice President and Palo Archbishop Jose Palma said he was encouraged with the “expression of solidarity” of his fellow bishops who attended the rites late this morning.
The Papal Nuncio Archbishop Edward Joseph Adams noted that in every place he went, the people “has always been warm” to bishops and priests.
Two presidential aspirants attended the installation rites. Senators Benigno C. Aquino and Manuel B Villar seated separately during the two-hour celebration. Former Justice Secretary and Senate President Franklin M. Drilon, former Senator Francisco S. Tatad, former Speaker Jose De Venecia and local political and government leaders joined the congregation.
Even television personality Kris Aquino, a close friend of the new archbishop, was seen during the installation rites. (Melo M. Acuna)
