Tuesday, November 14, 2006 Pope names new Zamboanga prelate
POPE Benedict XVI on Monday announced the designation of North Cotabato Bishop Romulo Valles as replacement of Zamboanga Archbishop Carmelo Morelos who retired in 2005 after reaching the age of 75 last year.
The Pontiff's acceptance of the resignation of Morelos and appointment of Valles was announced to the media by Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines Archbishop Fernando Filoni through the National Office of Mass Media (Nomm).
Morelos tendered his resignation on Dec. 11, 2005 when the archbishop turned 75. Based on Canon Law, all bishops must submit their resignation to the Vatican at the age of 75.
Born in Sorsogon, Morelos was ordained priest at 23 and was appointed bishop of Butuan at 36. At 63, he was appointed archbishop of Zamboanga where he served for 12 years.
Valles, on the other hand, was born in Bohol. He was ordained to the priesthood at 25 and became a bishop at 46. He has been bishop of Kidapawan for the past nine years.
Meanwhile, aside from Morelos and Valles, the Vatican has transferred Ilagan, Isabela Bishop Sergio Utleg to the diocese of Laoag in Ilocos Sur.
Utleg, 63, will replace Bishop Ernesto Salgado after Salgado was appointed archbishop of Vigan in February 2005. The appointments of Valles and Utleg to the dioceses of Zamboanga and Laoag left their respective dioceses "sede vacante" (without bishop) until new appointments are made.
No date has yet been set for the installation of Valles as archbishop of Zamboanga and the installation of Utleg as bishop of Laoag. (MSN/Sunnex)
