New Capiz Archbishop Victor Bendico celebrated his first holy mass recently in his new post as the head of the Archdiocese of Capiz at the Immaculate Conception Cathedral.
A Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines News post said, the celebration was a homecoming for the former Baguio bishop, who was installed May 3 as the fourth archbishop of Capiz which has a Catholic population of around 820,000 in about 67 parishes and mission stations.
Papal Nuncio Archbishop Charles John Brown presented Archbishop Bendico with a crosier and escorted him to his cathedra — the symbols of his authority. The faithful who attended the event applauded as he officially assumed his post.
In his homily, Archbishop Bendico called on the faithful of Capiz to work with him as he fulfills his new mission.
“We will walk together in the local Church of Capiz with our parishes, mission stations, Basic Ecclesial Communities, the religious, church organizations and ministries. With our trust in God and our humble efforts, we will strive that no one will be left behind, no one will feel alone, and no one will be forgotten in our communities,” he said.
The 63-year-old Church leader served the Diocese of Baguio for six years. The diocese is now “sede vacante” until a new bishop is appointed and installed.
Archbishop Bendico succeeds Manila Archbishop Jose Cardinal Advincula as the head of the Archdiocese of Capiz, which was “sede vacante” for nearly two years. Monsignor Cyril Villareal served as its apostolic administrator in the interim.
For his part, Cardinal Advincula cited Archbishop Bendico’s appointment as God’s gift to the archdiocese.
“God gave us not only an archbishop but someone who is our own, someone who knows us, and someone we know. Trust that God has reasons why He called you here. And trust that God will also give you all the graces you need as you faithfully do his will,” His Eminence said.
More than 20 Church leaders attended the event including Cardinal Orlando Quevedo, the archbishop emeritus of Cotabato.
RELATED TAGS: #ARCHBISHOP VICTOR BENDICO #NEW CAPIZ ARCHBISHOP