TWO Cebuano priests have been elevated as auxiliary bishops of Cebu by Pope Francis.
Msgr. Dennis Villarojo, head of the team of pastors of the Lady of the Sacred Heart Parish in Barangay Capitol Site, has been appointed as auxiliary bishop of Cebu by the Pope during a formal announcement at the St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome yesterday.
Msgr. Oscar Florencio, vice chancellor of the Archdiocese of Palo, Leyte, was also appointed as auxiliary bishop of Cebu.
In an interview with Sun.Star Cebu yesterday, Villarojo said it was Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma who informed him of his appointment.
“I am grateful for the task given and the grace above all,” Villarojo said.
Busy with IEC
But Villarojo admitted that while he is excited for his new position, he is still busy with activities for the 51st International Eucharistic Congress (IEC) next year., of which he is the secretary general.
Villarojo said his formal elevation as auxiliary bishop of Cebu has yet to be announced.
Villarojo was born in Cebu City on April 18, 1967 and was ordained priest on June 10, 1994.
From 1994 to 1998, Villarojo served as personal secretary to Cebu Archbishop Emeritus Ricardo Cardinal Vidal.
He also served as the coordinator of the Archdiocese’s Pastoral Planning Board.
Florencio, on the other hand, was born in Capoocan, Leyte on Feb. 5, 1966. He was ordained as priest on April 3, 1990. He is currently the rector of the St. John the Evangelist School of Theology in Leyte.