84. THE APOSTOLIC NUNCIO & THE NEW BISHOP OF ILAGAN


THE APOSTOLIC NUNCIO & THE NEW BISHOP OF ILAGAN
Dr. Troy Alexander Gozum Miano
12 February 2019



Busy as a bee preparing for the Bambanti Festival 2019, I received an instruction from the Governor to attend a meeting with the clergy, the province’ first lady and other concerned focal persons for the preparation of the Province of Isabela’s hosting of a welcome dinner for the Apostolic Nuncio, His Most Reverend Excellency Gabriele Giordano Caccia, D.D. Eventually, all department heads led by the Provincial Administrator including Hon. Rolando L. Tugade who acted as the event’s director-general, held a follow-up meeting at the Capitol. A final coordination meeting was held at the residence of the Governor in Cauayan City two days before the event. Included in the groundwork is the security preparation in the Saint Michael the Archangel Cathedral compound in Barangay Upi in Gamu town, the seat of the Diocese of Ilagan, which was the site of the canonical installation of the new bishop this morning.

The rigorous preparation of the provincial government concluded with a successful hosting last night graced by Governor Faustino G. Dy III, Vice Governor Antonio T. Albano, Congressman Rodolfo T. Albano, Congressman Jose T. Panganiban, Jr., His Eminence Orlando B. Cardinal Quevedo, Madam Maryann A. Dy, city and municipal mayors, politicians from Ilocos Sur and Occidental Mindoro, bishops, priests, nuns, seminarians, provincial department heads, family members and friends of the incoming bishop. After the normal protocols of a state dinner, the Manila based Sindaw Philippines Performing Arts Guild and Anak ng Inang Daigdig Rondalla Ensemble led by Direk Monino Duque and Leonilo C. Agustin provided a marvellous performance.

I can never forget the many pleasant experiences our office encountered before and during the visit of the Papal Nuncio. My town mates particularly the Cabatuan East Central School Ensemble led by Patson P. Opido showcased their skills as they performed in front of the capitol building while the Papal Nuncio, the Governor, Vice Governor, Cardinal Quevedo and Madam Dy watched in admiration. After the party entered the capitol building, the Apostolic Nuncio signed the province’s official guestbook. He was followed by Cardinal Quevedo. The following were the entries in the guest book: “I am very grateful for the warm welcome received and I bring you the blessing of the Holy Father Pope Francis.” - †Gabriele Caccia, Ap.N. 11 February 2019. On the following page: “Thank you very much for your warm welcome with my prayers and blessing in the Lord through Mama Mary on her feast day - †Orlando B. Cardinal Quevedo, OMI, Archbishop Emeritus of the Archdiocese of Cotabato, 11 February 2019, Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes.”

Archbishop Gabriele Giordano Caccia, S.T.D.J.C.L. was born on February 24, 1958 in Milan, Italy but lived for many years in Cavaria con Premezzo. On June 11, 1983, he was ordained a priest by Cardinal Carlo Maria Martini and served in St. Giovanni Bosco parish in Milan until 1986. Then he was sent to the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy in Rome, where he obtained a Doctorate in Sacred Theology (S.T.D.) and a Licentiate of Canon Law (J.C.L.) from the Pontifical Gregorian University. In 1991, he joined the diplomatic service of the Holy See and was appointed an attaché in the Apostolic Nunciature in Tanzania. On June 11, 1993, he returned to Rome to work in the General Affairs Section of the Vatican Secretariat of State. On  December 17, 2002, he was appointed Assessor for General Affairs of the Secretariat of State where he worked under Archbishop Leonardo Sandri and after 2007, Archbishop Fernando Filoni. On July 16, 2009, Pope Benedict XVI appointed him Apostolic Nuncio to Lebanon and Titular Archbishop of Sepin, Italy. On September 12, 2009, he was consecrated by the Pope. On September 12, 2017, Pope Francis appointed him as Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines.

The Apostolic Nunciature to the Philippines is a top-level diplomatic mission assigned by the Holy See to the Philippines located at 2140 Taft AvenueMalateManila. Diplomatically, an Apostolic Nuncio may be equivalent to an ambassador, and often carries the ecclesial title of archbishop. The nuncio works closely with the Archdiocese of Manila, and is by custom the Dean of the diplomatic corps. The Apostolic Nunciature to the Philippines was erected in 1902. Though the official residence of the nuncio is located in Manila, he is not subject to the Archbishop of Manila.

Today is a historic day for the Roman Catholic Church especially in the Diocese of Ilagan with the installation of the 5th bishop of the diocese in the person of the Most Reverend David William Valencia Antonio. Bishop Antonio was born on December 29, 1963 at Nagtupacan, Santo Domingo, Ilocos Sur. On December 1, 1988, he was ordained a priest. On June 15, 2011, Pope Benedict XVI appointed him Auxiliary Bishop of Nueva Segovia and Titular Bishop of Basti. On August 26, 2011, he was consecrated bishop by Giuseppe PintoApostolic Nuncio to the Philippines. On November 21, 2015, Pope Francis named him Apostolic Administrator of the Apostolic Vicariate of San José in Occidental Mindoro. On November 14, 2018, Pope Francis appointed him Bishop of the Diocese of Ilagan and today, he was canonically installed and the ceremony was presided by the Most Reverend Sergio L. Utleg, D.D., the Metropolitan Archbishop of Tuguegarao. The religious rites was graced by the Papal Nuncio, archbishops, priests, nuns, clerics, government officials, media and thousands of people from different places.

His Excellency Gabriele Giordano Caccia delivered his message during the canonical installation: "What makes our people suffer, sad and upset? It is not poverty nor sickness. It is conflict and division. It is very important that everyone is united. Let us avoid division and build a community where people are in communion. Avoid hatred and bad thinking. Fight not against people but against the devil. The devil is the one who divides. The good shepherd is the one who unifies."


Top of Form
Bottom of Form


Mga Komento

Mga sikat na post sa blog na ito

HISTORY OF THE PROVINCE OF ISABELA

99. SAMBALI OF CASIBARAG & LA JOTA ISABELA

98. HISTORY MONTH & BUWAN NG WIKA