The Antipolo Cathedral, known as the International Shrine of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage, has started its preparation for the installation and welcoming rites for the new diocese bishop.
Fr. Reynante Tolentino, the shrine rector, told Manila Bullletin that series of meetings among the church officials have been scheduled purposely for the cathedral’s preparation for the official installation ceremony for Bishop Ruperto Santos, who will become the fifth bishop of the Diocese of Antipolo.
(The newly reconstructed Antipolo Cathedral otherwise known as the International Shrine of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage)
The Antipolo Diocese covers the entire Rizal Province and Marikina City.
Tolentino said arrangements for the historic event that will officially mark the canonical possession of Bishop Santos as the new Antipolo bishop on July 22 is now underway following the announcement by the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines of the date of the prelate’s installation.
Bishop Santos, who is 65 years old, replaces Bishop Francis Mendoza de Leon whose mandatory resignation was accepted by the Vatican in May this year, or almost a year after the Antipolo prelate turned 75.
Archbishop Charles John Brown, the apostolic nuncio to the Philippines, along with the Catholic prelates of the country, are traditionally attending the installation ceremony which is held during the Mass.
The Diocese of Antipolo, through its official social media page, the Antipolensis-Roman Catholic Diocese of Antipolo, announced that the ceremony will be held at the International Shrine at 10 a.m. on July 22, the feast of St. Mary Magdalene.
Retiring Bishop de Leon will continue to oversee his flock in the diocese as its Apostolic Administrator until after Bishop Santos is installed. He still continues to preside Sunday masses in the diocese and outside the province.
(Photo from Antipolo Cathedral's Facebook page)
De Leon started his apostolic service in the diocese from 2007, first as auxiliary bishop, then coadjutor bishop before becoming the bishop in 2016.