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Wednesday, May 31, 2006
Oro archbishop cites peace-building mission
By Stephen Capillas
PEACE and community building are among the main themes touched by newly installed Cagayan de Oro Archbishop Antonio Javellana Ledesma in his message during the three-hour installation ceremonies held at the St. Augustine Cathedral Tuesday.
The installation was attended by church delegations and church officials from all over Misamis Oriental and even as far as Ipil, and top local and national officials and political figures.
Still in keeping with the apolitical tone of the activity, Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Rosales and Ledesma refrained from making any references to political issues.
In his message, Rosales said the archbishop could be likened to many persons or icons such as teachers, fishermen, and leaders of the flock.
Rosales emphasized that an archbishop is first and foremost a shepherd of the flock tasked to guide the Church faithful to the Word of God.
"(The archbishop is meant to) touch the humanity of every person in the hope that he/she will eventually inculcate moral reforms," Rosales said.
And in his speech, Ledesma said he will pursue his mission of espousing peace in much the same way that he made peace his motto since his assumption of the Ipil prelature almost a decade ago.
Ledesma said at the time he assumed the prelature of Ipil the area is beset by violence caused by the Abu Sayaff and even the kidnapping of a former Ipil archbishop.
This peace, he said, is still being sought in Mindanao. In light of this, he gave recognition to the Ipil delegation that attended the installation ceremonies Tuesday.
Ledesma also likewise cited the influence of civil society groups prior to his assumption as Ipil archbishop.
"Groups like Phildraa have helped me to be sensitized to social concerns and problems facing the common folks like agrarian reform, peace and order," he said.
Along this line, Ledesma said he will adopt a peace and community-building approach in order to help develop parishes covered by the Cagayan de Oro archdiocese.
Ledesma is the fourth archbishop to assume the post in the Cagayan de Oro archdiocese, having succeeded Monsignor Jesus Tuquib. A letter from the Vatican was shown by Fr. Rey Monsanto to the parishioners as proof of his ordination.
Ledesma's four sisters and three brothers who came from abroad were on hand to attend his installation. He paid tribute to his departed parents for helping influence his life.
(May 31, 2006 issue)
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