BISHOP Patricio Buzon was installed as the sixth Bishop of the Diocese of Bacolod at 9 a.m. Tuesday, August 9, at the San Sebastian Cathedral.
The canonical installation started at 8 a.m. with a procession around the Bacolod public plaza participated by the bishops and the clergy along with pre-selected faithful from the parishes
The mass and canonical installation then followed led by Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas, president of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines.
About 40 bishops from all over the country witnessed the rites.
Buzon arrived in Bacolod City on Monday through a caravan from Kabankalan City participated by more than a hundred vehicles.
In his message, Buzon, 66, former bishop of the Diocese of Kabankalan, said he is happy with the warm welcome given to him.
“I would like to thank you all for the warm welcome. I would like to ask all of you to join me in this journey. I am asking for prayers because my work here is bigger than in Kabankalan with lots of challenges here because the society is bigger and life is more complex than the countryside,” he added.
Buzon succeeded Bishop Vicente Navarra who retired from his post at 77.
Buzon's successor
Meanwhile, Kabankalan City Mayor Isidro Zayco said on Monday that they are still waiting for the successor of Buzon.
“We are saddened that he is leaving the Diocese of Kabankalan, but of course we are happy for his new assignment at the Diocese of Bacolod where he will be facing new challenge,” he added.
“We would like to wish Bishop Buzon (all the best) in his new assignment, and that he will help mold the spiritual growth of his flock,” Zayco said.
Zayco led the city officials who sent off Buzon on Monday from the Kabankalan City Cathedral. He also led the tribute they gave to Buzon.
The mayor said they are still waiting for the successor of Buzon in the Diocese of Kabankalan, adding that he received information that Vatican will appoint a new bishop in December.
Meantime, the Diocese will have a caretaker who will be chosen by the priests among themselves.
Buzon has served as bishop of Kabankalan since 2003 until his appointment to the Diocese of Bacolod on Tuesday.