The Rizal provincial government and the Antipolo city government both welcomed the appointment of Bishop Ruperto Santos as the new bishop of the Diocese of Antipolo
In their respective social media pages, Rizal Governor Nina Ricci Ynares Chiongbian and Antipolo City Mayor Casimiro ‘Junjun’ Ynares, III both congratulated Bishop Santos for his new assignment as the fifth bishop of Antipolo.
“To Bishop Ruperto, welcome po sa Lalawigan ng Rizal at welcome po sa Antipolo, the Pilgrimage Capital of the Philippines,” Governor Ynares said in his post on Facebook.
Mayor Ynares III has also sent his greetings to the incoming bishop of the diocese as he assured the prelate of the prayers and support of the city government.
The two local chief executives also thanked retiring Antipolo Bishop Francisco "Francis" Mendoza de Leon for leading the faithful in Antipolo City and the entire diocese, which has jurisdiction over the Catholic churches in entire province and in Marikina City.
Bishop Francisco de Leon with some of the priests of the Diocese Antipolo during the Mass for the ordination of Fr. Francis Edward Baasis held recently at the Parish of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in Antipolo (Photo from Antipolo Cathedral's Facebook page)
“Salamat po sa dedikasyon at sakripisyo na inyong inialay hindi lang sa inyong serbisyo bilang aming obispo kundi sa pagmamahal at pagmamalasakit po sa lahat ng nasasakupan ng diyosesis. Hangad namin na patuloy po kayong gabayan ng Panginoon sa lahat ng landas na inyong tatahakin (Thank you for the dedication and sacrifices that you offered, not only for being our bishop but also for your love and concern for the diocese. We pray that God continue to guide you in all the paths that you will take),” Mayor Ynares said.
There's no date yet on the formal installation of Bishop Santos as the new bishop of Antipolo, thus, Bishop de Leon will continue to lead the diocese as the Apostolic Administrator, according to Fr. Reynante Tolentino, the rector of the International Shrine of the Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage, otherwise known as the Antipolo Cathedral, which is the seat of the diocese.
Newly appointed Antipolo Bishop Ruperto C. Santos and Fr. Reynante Tolentino (Photo from Antipolo Cathedral's Facebook page)
The appointment of Balanga Bishop Santos by Pope Francis as the new bishop of the Diocese of Antipolo was officially announced on Wednesday following the Vatican’s acceptance of the mandatory resignation of Bishop De Leon who is now 75. He will turn 76 on June 11.