Cebuano is new Palo Archbishop

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu Archbishop and Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines President Jose Palma is pleased with the appointment of Cebuano bishop, Fr. John Du, as Archbishop of Palo, Leyte, the position that Palma vacated in October 2010.

“Nalipay ko sa iyang appointment. Syempre kay ang Obispo mao’y shepherd of a community. I believe he has the qualities of a shepherd,” Palma said.

Du, 57, is a native of Bantayan, Cebu.

“In particular I am most happy of Du’s appointment because I know him for being a prayerful person and very dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary and very zealous in his ministry,” Palma said.

On Saturday night, Pope Benedict XVI announced Du’s appointment as new head of the archdiocese of Palo, Leyte in Eastern Visayas. Papal Nuncio to the Philippines Archbishop Guiseppe Pinto relayed the news to Msgr. Pedro Quitorio, media director of the CBCP.

Currently, Du is treasurer and chair of the CBCP Pension Plan.

Palma called on the Catholics in Palo to give Du the same cooperation and respect they have given him during his stint as archbishop.

The efforts of the community, Palma said further, are most needed by the Church to expand spiritual life.

Palma advised Du to strengthen efforts extended by the lay people and the community to the Church.

Du was ordained a priest on June 1, 1979 after obtaining degrees in philosophy and theology from the San Carlos Seminary College in Cebu City and the Divine Word Seminary in Tagaytay City.

The archbishop-elect was named Bishop of Dumaguete on April 21, 2001. —(FREEMAN)