The incoming Archbishop of Cebu in the central Philippines says he will “float the idea” of dividing the territory into several dioceses.
Archbishop Jose Palma,
who will be installed Cebu archbishop on Thursday, said his proposal
aims at serving the Catholic faithful in far-flung areas, ucanews.com
reports.
“Sooner or later it will happen, especially if there are
recommendations from Rome,” said the archbishop who is currently head of
the Archdiocese of Palo in Leyte province until this week, ucanews.com reports.
Outgoing Cebu archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal agreed that there was a need to divide the archdiocese and create new parishes.
He said aside from the four suffragan dioceses, two more dioceses may
be added. “It will depend on the Holy See,” Cardinal Vidal said.
“I see the need for this change. Through this, we will be able to
attend more closely to the needs of our constituents,” he said.
The Archdiocese of Cebu has two auxiliary bishops – Julito Cortes and
Emilio “Boy” Bataclan – and four suffragan dioceses – Dumaguete,
Talibon, Tagbilaran and Maasin.
The cardinal said at least three dioceses should be formed – North
Cebu, Metro Cebu and South Cebu – that will each be headed by bishops
appointed by the Pope.
Cardinal Vidal said the other changes will be up to his successor,
Archbishop Palma, who earlier hinted of a plan to implement staff
changes and to emphasize pastoral focus on lay empowerment.
The faithful in the 23 vicariates, seven ecclesiastical districts and
140 parishes are administered to by 365 diocesan priests, 382 religious
men, about 1,100 religious women and 465 seminarians.
Archbishop Palma said the proposal to divide the archdiocese will be
discussed by the Board of Consultors after his installation, adding that
there are factors to be considered in the process including the
implications for priests who will be affected.
SIC: CTH/ASIA