By Christina Hermoso
Catholic bishops were urged Saturday to lead their flocks to peace and harmony to effectively lead his diocese.
“A bishop must be spirit-filled and spirit-driven for him to lead his flock and even those who are not of his flock to peace and harmony,” said retired Cotabato Archbishop Orlando Cardinal Quevedo.
Cotabato Archbishop Orlando Quevedo
(KEITH BACONGCO / MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO) In his homily during the formal installation of new Cotabato Archbishop Angelito Lampon, the cardinal stressed the need for a bishop “to be one with the Holy Spirit” for him to be filled with courage to lead his flock in war-torn and predominantly Muslim Mindanao. “Only when he is in communion with the Holy Spirit, only when the Spirit dwells in him, will he be a prophet with courage, without fear, in season and out of season,” Quevedo said in a Catholic Bishops’ Conference News post. “A shepherd must bring hope to people who look for light in a cultural darkness and mutual biases and prejudices,” he added. Archbishop Lampon was formally installed Wednesday at the Immaculate Conception Cathedral amid tight security. Policemen and soldiers were deployed in the area and its perimeter to make sure it is safe from any threats. Papal Nuncio Gabriele Giordano Caccia and Davao Archbishop and CBCP president Romulo Valles led the attendees that include several bishops from different dioceses. Caccia, who delivered a message from Pope Francis, expressed solidarity with the Catholic faithful and thanked Quevedo for his service. “You are not alone. We are with you, all of us,” he said. “Cardinal Quevedo has been very much appreciated by the Holy Father and the other cardinals all over the world,” he added. Lampon was the apostolic vicar of Jolo from 1997 until November 2018 when Pope Francis appointed him as the new Cotabato archbishop to replace Quevedo who served the archdiocese for two decades.
Cotabato Archbishop Orlando Quevedo(KEITH BACONGCO / MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO) In his homily during the formal installation of new Cotabato Archbishop Angelito Lampon, the cardinal stressed the need for a bishop “to be one with the Holy Spirit” for him to be filled with courage to lead his flock in war-torn and predominantly Muslim Mindanao. “Only when he is in communion with the Holy Spirit, only when the Spirit dwells in him, will he be a prophet with courage, without fear, in season and out of season,” Quevedo said in a Catholic Bishops’ Conference News post. “A shepherd must bring hope to people who look for light in a cultural darkness and mutual biases and prejudices,” he added. Archbishop Lampon was formally installed Wednesday at the Immaculate Conception Cathedral amid tight security. Policemen and soldiers were deployed in the area and its perimeter to make sure it is safe from any threats. Papal Nuncio Gabriele Giordano Caccia and Davao Archbishop and CBCP president Romulo Valles led the attendees that include several bishops from different dioceses. Caccia, who delivered a message from Pope Francis, expressed solidarity with the Catholic faithful and thanked Quevedo for his service. “You are not alone. We are with you, all of us,” he said. “Cardinal Quevedo has been very much appreciated by the Holy Father and the other cardinals all over the world,” he added. Lampon was the apostolic vicar of Jolo from 1997 until November 2018 when Pope Francis appointed him as the new Cotabato archbishop to replace Quevedo who served the archdiocese for two decades.