Palma installation date set

CEBU, Philippines – Archbishop Jose Palma will be formally installed as the new Archbishop of Cebu on January 13, 2011.

The installation date was agreed yesterday during his "goodwill" visit to outgoing Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal.

Monsignor Esteban Ezer Binghay, episcopal vicar of the Archdiocese of Cebu, said that Palma wanted to be installed before the Sinulog celebration because he is offering it to the Holy Child.

Palma also wanted it to be on his 13th year anniversary as bishop. Palma was ordained as bishop on January 3, 1998.

During his visit to the Archbishop Palace, the incoming Archbishop convinced Cardinal Vidal to stay at the palace until February 6, 2011.

Cardinal Vidal agreed to stay at the Archbishop Palace along D. Jakosalem Street until his 80th birthday. After February 6, the retired Cardinal will have an option whether to stay in the "Home for the retired priests" in Banilad or in Manila or in his home province in Marinduque. 

Binghay said the Church officials have already created several committees to work for the scheduled installation of the new Archbishop of Cebu.

It was agreed yesterday between Cardinal Vidal and Archbishop Palma that the former will be allowed to continue to stay in his room at the Palace while the latter will stay at the guest room, where then Pope John Paul II stayed during his visit to Cebu in 1981.

Archbishop Palma want that his installation as Archbishop of Cebu will be made on January 13, one week before the feast of Señor Santo Niño because he will offer his services to the Holy Child.

Palma came from the Archdiocese of Palo, Leyte which is relatively smaller compared to the Archdiocese of Cebu which has a follower of 3,268,081. Palo, Leyte only has 1,257,977.

With his assignment to Cebu, Archbishop Palma is expected to join the Sacred College of Cardinals soon. The College of Cardinals will elect the pope.

Earlier reports have it that Palma is also groomed to become the next president of the powerful Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines, where he is presently the vice president.

Archbishop Palma graduated from the St. Vincent Ferrer Seminary in Panay.  (FREEMAN)