Tuesday, January 22, 2008 100 priests up for reshuffle
CEBU Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal wants reassigned priests in their new parishes before the Lenten season starts on Feb. 6, which is also his 77th birthday.
The prelate wrote this in a circular dated Jan. 15 addressed to all priests of the Archdiocese of Cebu.
“It is my wish that all transfers will take effect before the start of the Lenten season… As we begin Ash Wednesday this year on Feb. 6, all should already be in place,” he said.
Every year, the Archdiocese reshuffles parish assignments of priests who have served their present parishes for more than six years. For assistant priests, it’s two years.
This year, priests in over 60 parishes in Cebu Province will be transferred.
Vidal also wishes for a smooth implementation of the new assignments.
“I am directing the Episcopal Vicars to arrange a smooth, orderly and coordinated schedule in the installation of the new pastors in the parishes. May these movements continue to enhance our camaraderie and brotherhood of priests and increase our pastoral zeal to serve the people entrusted to our care,” he said.
According to the presiding officer of the Archdiocese’s committee on personnel, Msgr. Roberto Alesna, this regular transfer is a rule in the Archdiocese, upon the discretion of Cardinal Vidal.
Two priests from Sto. Rosario Parish, along P. del Rosario St., Cebu City will be given new assignments, three from Gethsemane Parish in Mandaue City, and two from San Isidro Labrador Parish in Talamban, Cebu City, among others.
There are other priests who will be transferred for “pastoral reasons,” although Alesna did not elaborate on this.
New priests will also be replacing parish priests who will retire. Alesna, for instance, confirmed that he will replace Msgr. Cayetano Gelbolingo, parish priest of the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral. Alesna has been parish priest of the Alliance of Two Hearts Parish in Banawa, Cebu City for nearly 10 years now.
A new priest will also replace Fr. Joseph Torres of the Remedios Parish in Labangon, Cebu City before the month ends. He is serving the parish for 10 years in a row and will soon retire.
But Alesna said the transfer is long overdue.
“(Last year’s) reshuffling was postponed due to a series of activities in relation to Cardinal’s celebration of his jubilee year as well as the May 14 election,” Alesna told Sun.Star Cebu in a phone interview.
Vidal said those who have gotten their new appointments will have to report to their respective parish assignments on the last week of January.
The final and official list of priests and their new assignments will be released in the Jan. 27 issue of the Archdiocese’s weekly publication Bag-ong Lungsuranon. (NRC)
