Rizal Province local government officials welcomed Bishop Ruperto Cruz Santos as he officially assumed as head of the Diocese of Antipolo that comprises the entire Rizal Province and Marikina City.
During the canonical installation rites for Bishop Santos held on Saturday, July 22, at the International Shrine of the Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage, otherwise known as the Antipolo Cathedral, Rizal Governor Nina Ricci Ynares presented a token to the fifth bishop of the diocese as a goodwill gesture of the provincial government.
(Rizal Governor Nina Ricci Ynares and Antipolo City Vice Mayor Josefina Gatlabayan welcome Bishop Ruperto Santos in a ceremony during the prelate's canonical installation on July 22 - Photo courtesy of Antipolo Cathedral)
Antipolo City Mayor Casimiro "Junjun" Ynares, III, was represented by Vice Mayor Josefina Gatlabayan in welcoming the new bishop prior to the official ceremony that was attended by several Catholic Church leaders in the country.
Along the streets leading to the cathedral, city residents including local government employees of the Antipolo City and Rizal Provincial Government, as well as well-wishers from various parishes of the diocese waived flaglets as the official vehicle carrying Bishop Santos passed by.
Students dressed in cultural costumes performed the traditional Tayo Na Sa Antipolo dance at the cathedral compound prior and after the installation ceremony.
Antipolo Cathedral shrine rector and parish administrator Fr. Reynanto Tolentino thanked those who joined and helped in making the historic event meaningful and orderly.
Mayor Ynares, in his message posted on the official Facebook page of the city government, extended the local officials and residents’ wishes to Bishop Ruperto as leader of the Catholic flock in the diocese.
“Isang karangalan po ang makabahagi ang aming lungsod sa makasaysayang yugto sa ating diyosesis. Kasama nyo po kami sa pananalangin para sa mabuting pangangatawan, kaisipan at espiritu para sa mga hamon ng pagiging Ama at Pastol (It is an honor for the city to be part of the historic chapter of our diocese. We are one in prayers for your good health, mind and spirit for the challenges of being the father and shepherd),” the mayor said in his statement.
Archbishop Charles Brown, Papal Nuncio to the Philippines, officiated the Mass that was also led by Bishop Emeritus Francis Mendoza de Leon and Bishop Emeritus Gabriel Reyes, both of the Antipolo Diocese.
Bishop Santos became the fifth bishop of the Diocese of Antipolo after he led the Diocese of Balanga for 13 years.
(Photo from Antipolo Cathedral's Facebook page)