Golden in years, still serving the people

CEBU, Philippines - The atmosphere was festive at the St. Francis of Assisi Church in Balamban, Cebu as locals gathered to celebrate a milestone achieved by one of their own.

Right Reverend Monsignor Esteban Binghay was celebrating his 50th year as a priest with a Mass attended by family and friends. It seemed like yesterday when, on April 27, 1962, a young priest celebrated his first Mass for the townsfolk. Fifty years later, Binghay – now a monsignor – again faced the people of Balamban to celebrate a momentous event.

The Mass was indeed a celebration of Msgr. Binghay's achievements, as well as a thanksgiving to the Almighty God for the many graces the monsignor and his family, as well as their friends and the community, have received.

The priests who concelebrated the Mass made sure that those who attended understood that priesthood, as what Monsignor Binghay has been doing, is a bridge meant to bring the people close to God.

Msgr. Binghay shared that he originally wanted to become a doctor but he could not stand the sight of blood so he decided to take a path wherein he will have the opportunity to serve the people the way doctors do.

High school life at the Pope John XXIII Seminary made him confident and certain that the priesthood was his calling adding that a kuya guided him through the early years of seminary life, making him feel secure despite being away from home.

Among the many achievements he obtained in the past 50 years as a priest is a Doctorate in Canon Music, which Msgr. Binghay earned after studying Liturgical Music in Rome for five years. This is the reason why the monsignor is very particular on how a Mass is celebrated. He also believes that the homily should be something that people can understand and relate to.

He shared that Masses at the Sto. Rosario Church, where he used to be assigned, was celebrated for only 20 minutes during weekdays to accommodate those who have to work or go to school. However, he made it a point to have it set to 40 minutes saying that although 90 percent of those who attend these Masses are working and are in a hurry, the essence of the Holy Mass should not be sacrificed. Notice that there are parts of the Holy Mass that are sung by the priest? That is also because of the monsignor.

Monsignor Binghay is also an Episcopal Vicar, tasked to oversee certain parishes in the archdiocese. He is a matrimonial judge, as well, deciding on the declaration of marriages as void. "I have annulled many [marriages]," he shared, adding that some of these marriages are of people who are known in society. He said being a matrimonial judge is the most difficult among his responsibilities. Aside from the long hours he has to pour into this task, he also has to consider the couple who want to have their marriage annuled.

One of the Monsignor's memorable experiences as a priest for 50 years was an encounter with a former teacher from the Abellana National School. The teacher went to the convent asking the priests there to baptize her grandson. The other priests in the convent scolded the lady, but the young Fr. Binghay secretly told the lady to follow him and he performed the baptism.

The boy whom the young Fr. Binghay baptized is now all grown-up and based in the United States. He remains grateful for what Msgr. Binghay did and never fails to remember the goodness of the priest.

For Msgr. Binghay, his 50 years as a priest can be defined in one word – thanksgiving. Thanksgiving to the Lord and thanksgiving for each and every day of those years that he witnessed the greatest miracle, that is the goodness of the people who proved to be very helpful and generous, as well as respectful to priests like him.

"People need me; I am needed. For me, it's enough to serve the people," he said.