POPE Francis will choose from a pool of 15 priests the next auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Cebu, a position vacated by Bishop Oscar Florencio after his appointment as the new military ordinary in the country.
Archbishop Jose Palma said the selection process was completed and the Pope might appoint the new bishop any time.
He said the Holy See will look into the nominees whose credentials have been screened and will decide who is fit for the duty.
“The process has been done. I’m sure Rome must have (someone) in mind. Our role as bishops, even long before, is to suggest names,” Palma told reporters after the Palm Sunday mass at the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral on April 14.
Florencio was installed as the head of the Military Ordinariate of the Philippines last April 3.
According to Palma, the selection process for Florencio’s successor started with the Apostolic Nunciature, which asked bishops for the names of the priests.
Palma did not divulge the names of the 15 priests, saying he was not authorized to do so. He also refused to say if there was a Cebuano among the nominees, but he said the candidates were from the different dioceses in the country.
Palma said that it was not necessary for a Cebuano to replace Florencio.
“We do not know who will (be) assigned where, but it is Rome that eventually decides,” he said. (FROM SCG OF SUPERBALITA CEBU / KAL)