Sin spokesman named Manila auxiliary bishop

Msgr. Socrates Villegas, spokesman for Manila Archbishop Jaime Cardinal Sin, has been appointed auxiliary bishop of Manila by Pope John Paul II.

Church sources also said yesterday that Msgr. Jose Advincula Jr. of the Archdiocesan clergy of Capiz was appointed bishop of San Carlos.

Villegas’ episcopal ordination is set on Aug. 31 at the Manila Cathedral in Intramuros, which date falls on the birthday of Sin.

The National Office of Mass Media, headed by Fr. James Reuter, said in a letter dated July 26 to Msgr. Hernando Coronel, Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines spokesman, that the Pope made the two appointments for the Philippine Catholic Church.

Reuter said the official announcement was made high noon of July 25 in the Vatican, and that the news reached Manila in the evening of the same day.

The news was coursed through the Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines, Archbishop Antonio Franco.

In a letter to Reuter dated July 25, Franco said the Pope has made certain provisions regarding the Catholic Church in the Philippines.

The letter said Pope John Paul II accepted the resignation of Carlos’ predecessor and he in turn nominated the new bishop of San Carlos. The Pope also nominated Villegas as auxiliary bishop of Manila.

"Entrusting these our new brothers in episcopate to God’s divine guidance and to the protection of the Blessed Mother, let us sustain and support them with our prayers to joyfully and faithfully carry out their ministries," Franco wrote.

At his Mandaluyong residence Wednesday night, Sin likewise announced the appointment of Villegas, rector of the EDSA Shrine, to the College of Consultors and the EDSA Shrine Community.

Born Sept. 20, 1960, Villegas, fondly called Monsignor Doc, is a native of Pateros.

His mother Norma Jacinta Buenaventura Villegas will be given the papal award on Aug. 15.

Villegas was ordained on Oct. 5, 1985 and appointed papal chaplain by the Pope in 1991, earning him the title "monsignor." The new Manila auxiliary bishop also served as executive coordinator of the Commission for the World Youth Day in Manila in 1995. He has authored five books of homilies. – Sandy Araneta