CLERGY and lay leaders, chosen for their active involvement and dedication to Catholic Church teachings, received honors yesterday afternoon at the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral.
Thousands witnessed the rites where the title “monsignor” was bestowed on 10 priests, while four lay leaders were declared knights of the Pontifical Order of St. Sylvester.
The knights are University of Cebu president Augusto Go, Dr. Manuel Lim, businessman Leo Liu and Cardinal Vidal’s long-time friend Lino Francisco Lebron.
They were dressed in a black uniform with gold embroidery and a broad ribbon with black and red stripes. Each received a gold medal and carried a gold-tipped sword.
One by one, they approached the sanctuary, knelt before the 79-year-old prelate and were inducted into Christian knighthood.
In an interview, Cardinal Vidal explained the honor was created by the Pope to celebrate his jubilee in Rome.
“(This was also done) in honor of St. Sylvester. The Pope awards this honor for outstanding work for peace in the world,” he added.
He said the celebration was part of the diamond anniversary celebration of the archdiocese.
“Last year, when we were planning for the celebration, we asked parish priests to give at least two names. The limitation was that they should have served the church for at least 15 years,” said Vidal.
Knight Leo Lim Liu received the honor in the presence of his family, particularly his wife, Dame Norma Lim Liu, who was cited for her quiet but consistent support of various archdiocesan programs.
“The Liu family is deeply honored and grateful that our Holy Mother the Church has found our father and patriarch to be worthy of this honor,” their son Edmun Liu told Sun.Star Cebu through a text message.
“We are truly grateful for this blessing and together with our mother, Mrs. Norma Lim Liu, who was also recognized with the same honor three years ago, our family is inspired to continue the legacy of service that both our patriarch and matriarch have exemplified throughout these years,” he said.
New title
In 2007, the same recognition was bestowed on the late Ernesto Aboitiz, a businessman who was cited for his commitment to various advocacies through the Bishops-Businessmen’s Conference. The title Dame of St. Sylvester was also given to the late Josefina Matheu, a seminary professor.
Also yesterday, Cardinal Vidal conducted the investiture rites for 10 priests who were appointed as papal chamberlains and given the title monsignor.
In his homily, he said the priests’ title will be changed from “Mr.” to “Msgr.” or monsignor.
“It can also mean messenger,” he joked.
He added that these priests, “tried hard to love the word of God always.”
The new monsignors include Cardinal Vidal’s private secretary and John Paul II Home for Priests administrator Agustin Ancajas, Judicial Vicar and Archdiocesan Shrine of San Nicolas team ministry member Raul Go, Bag-ong Lungsoranon editor Marnell Mejia, Priest Renewal Integration director Vicente Rey Penagunda and Archdiocesan Commission on Social Communications chairman and Archdiocesan Shine of San Nicolas de Tolentino moderator Trinidad Silva.
The others are Archdiocesan Catechetical Center director and Archdiocesan Shrine of St. Teresa team ministry member Vicente Tupas Jr. and Episcopal Vicars Sindulfo Iriarte, Antonio Medida, Antonio Quintana and Daniel Sanico.
Each of the new monsignors received their purple vestments, which they put on with the help of friends and family members, before they joined the priests and bishops in the sanctuary. (BAP)