THE Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral was abuzz with excitement on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, as the Archdiocese of Cebu welcomed 14 new priests to the Sacred Order of Priesthood.
Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma led the ordination of the new diocesan priests, the highest number since 2015. They will be assigned to different parishes in the provinces of Cebu, Bohol and Negros Oriental.
New priests
The following priests were ordained: Rev. Fr. Clark Acibron (San Isidro Labrador Parish Bantayan, Cebu); Rev. Fr. Alvin Cajes (Most Holy Trinity Cathedral Parish, Talibon, Bohol); Rev. Fr. Reynaldo Castillo (St. Vincent Ferrer Parish, Calape, Bohol);
Rev. Fr. Ryan Cortes (Christ of the Agony/Gethsemane Parish, Casuntingan, Mandaue City); and Rev. Fr. Eric Vincent Dela Peña who will be assigned in Sto. Tomas de Villanueva Parish, Argao, Cebu, along with Rev. Fr. Ryan Christopher Ferolino and Rev. Fr. Chayle Sawey.
Also ordained were Rev. Fr. Jesam Felicano (Archdiocesan Shrine of San Nicolas de Tolentino Parish, Cebu City); Rev. Fr. Diomel Gedorio (St. Joseph the Worker Parish, Alegria, Cebu); Rev. Fr. Jury Laparan (St. Joseph Parish, Canlaon City, Negros Oriental); Rev. Fr. Regin Rex German (Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish, Pajac, Lapu-Lapu City); Rev. Fr. Diego Octavius Tabotabo (Sto. Tomas de Villanueva Parish, Danao City, Cebu); Rev. Fr. Niño Tamayo (Holy Family of Nazareth Parish, Bogo City, Cebu); and Rev. Fr. Jeffrey Torre who will be assigned in Our Lady of the Pillar Parish Sibonga, Cebu.
Four of the new priests are from Mary’s Little Children Community Healing Center (MLCC), a Catholic community founded by the late Monsignor Fred Kriekenbeek that ministers through evangelization, deliverance and healing.
During his homily, Palma reminded the newly ordained priests that their vocation is a gift from God that must be shared to all faithful as ministers of the Lord.
“Please treasure the gift. Everyday, as you celebrate the sacraments, thank the Lord for having called you to be his ministers. And of course, thank him and pray that you will be priests forever, according to the order of Melchizedek,” Palma said.
Palma also shared the reminders of Pope Leo XVI to all priests that they should be credible and live decent lives to maintain the respect of people.
“Priests should bring hope to people, especially in this Jubilee of Hope. They are also stewards of God’s gifts and talents, responsible to the Lord for how they use them,” said Palma.
Service to the people
Palma also told them to live their life in service to the people, acting in humility, service, and love, as Jesus came to serve.
“When you look at the demand, you might say it’s very daunting and you might be afraid… My point is, the grace of God is sufficient. Take note, when we impose our hands on you, when in the act of ordination, the spirit, the spirit of the Lord will hover upon you,” he said in a mix of Cebuano and English.
“Henceforth, we live not in our own strength, not in our own power, not in our own capacity; but we live by the power of that Spirit that is in us.,” he added.
Since his installation as Cebu Archbishop in 2011, Palma has ordained more than 82 individuals into the priesthood. The Cebu Archdiocese has around 400 diocesan priests, as of 2023.
The number excludes priests who are under the different religious congregations.
While the ideal ratio of priests to parishioners is 1 to 2,000, the ratio of priests to the Catholic faithful in Cebu is 1 to 8,407.
However, compared to the other archdioceses and dioceses in the country, Cebu has the highest number of clergy members.
Last March 19, Palma turned 75 years old and reached the mandatory age of retirement. The bishop submitted his resignation to the Vatican, based on Canon 401 of the 1983 Code of Canon Law; but it will be up to the Holy Father whether or not to accept Palma’s resignation.
Palma has publicly announced his intention to retire and has visited the Archdiocese of Cebu’s retirement home in Santo Niño Village in Barangay Banilad, Cebu City. (EHP)