The Archdiocese of San Fernando in Pampanga celebrates its 75th founding anniversary this year.
Papal Nuncio Archbishop Charles John Brown presided over the celebratory holy mass on Dec. 11 at the Metropolitan Cathedral of San Fernando with San Fernando Archbishop Florentino Lavarias and Kapampangan bishops from different dioceses as co celebrants.
Several Church leaders attended the celebration including CBCP president and Kalookan Bishop Pablo Virgilio David, Cubao Bishop Honesto Ongtioco, San Jose Nueva Ecija Bishop Roberto Mallari, San Fernando Archbishop Emeritus Paciano Aniceto, and Novaliches Bishop Emeritus Teodoro Bacani.
Archbishop Lavarias said the archdiocese has gone a long way in its seven decades of existence especially in nurturing the faith and spiritual life of the people as well as in the evangelical mission done by missionary priests from the archdiocese in other countries.
“This blessing comes with a responsibility for the Kapampangans to become channels of the fullness of grace,” said Archbishop Lavarias over Radio Veritas.
The Diocese of San Fernando in Pampanga was created on Dec. 11, 1948 through the Apostolic Constitution Probe Noscitur. It covers the provinces of Pampanga, Bataan, Zambales, parts of Tarlac, and Nueva Ecija.
Archbishop Lavarias also looked back on the journey of the archdiocese since its independence from the Archdiocese of Manila on March 17, 1975 with Bishop Cesar Guerrero serving as its first shepherd.
“As we continue with our journey, we bring with us the meaning of our solidarity as a community, a community of God. We hope to make this celebration as a source of inspiration and and encouragement for everyone,” the prelate said.
The archbishop expressed hope for a more open and inclusive relationship with the members of the clergy, the religious and the lay faithful following Pope Francis’ Synod on Synodality.
Meanwhile, pilgrims to select churches under the jurisdiction of the archdiocese may gain a plenary indulgence for a year from the start of the celebration on Dec. 11 after availing of the usual conditions -sacramental confession, receiving holy communion and praying for the intentions of the Holy Father.
The seven pilgrim churches are the Presentation of the Lord Parish in Batasan, Macabebe; the Parish of the Lord’s Annunciation in San Vicente, Mexico; the Archdiocesan Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes in Cabetican, Bacolor; the Nuestra Señora del Carmen Parish in Pulungmasle, Guagua; the Our Lady of Fatima Parish in Hensonville Subdivision, Angeles City; the Nuestra Señora de la Divina Pastora Parish in Balucuc, Apalit; and the Our Lady of Sorrows Parish in Dolores, Xevera, Mabalacat City.