Archbishop Cruz retires, replaced by Bishop Villegas
Lingayen , Philippines - Dagupan Archbishop Oscar Cruz, one of the Arroyo administration’s staunchest critics, retired yesterday and was replaced by Balanga, Bataan Bishop Socrates Villegas, the Vatican announced yesterday.
The CBCPNews, the official news service provider of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), said Pope Benedict XVI finally agreed to the request of Archbishop Cruz to retire.
Cruz would turn 75 – the retirement age for priests – on Nov. 17 yet.
He served as CBCP president for four years during the term of former President Joseph Estrada.
The 48-year-old Bishop Villegas, who had worked with the late Manila Archbishop Jaime Cardinal Sin, may become the country’s youngest archbishop.
Archbishop Cruz tendered his resignation in March 2007, saying he wanted younger bishops to lead his diocese. – Evelyn Macairan
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