The faithful of Iloilo thanks the Lord for the Canonical Possession and Solemn Installation of former Cebu Auxiliary Bishop and now Jaro Archbishop Midyphil “Dodong” Billones.
Present during the momentous occasion were the Church officials led by the Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines, Most Rev. Charles Brown, Jose Cardinal Advincula, visiting bishops and priests.
Cebu Archbishop Jose S. Palma, in his homily, reflected on the motto of Archbishop Dodong which comes from Peter’s response to Jesus: “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you!”
Archbishop Palma highlighted that despite the Lord knowing all things and Peter’s limited love, He still chose him to feed his sheep. May this remind Archbishop Dodong that he is a recipient of God’s grace and that like Peter, he is tasked to watch over God’s flock.
“May these words of Peter remind you [Archbishop Dodong] that you are the servant of the Lord and not the lord archbishop. I pray that like Peter, your ministry will reveal the Lordship of the Risen Christ. Watch over the flock, not out of greed but out of eagerness, and not lording them over but being an example to them,” said Archbishop Palma.
He added that the Lord has chosen Archbishop Dodong to be the vicar of His people, especially the least, the last, and the lost. He urged him to draw inspiration from those who have served the Ilonggo faithful including Venerable Teofilo Camomot and Venerable Mother Rosario Arroyo, and especially the patron saint of the Jaro Cathedral, St. Elizabeth of Hungary, who despite her regal status did not remain in the comforts of the palace but went out on the streets to care for the poor and the sick.
“Soon, you will receive the pallium, a sign of your unity with the Pope. May this bond remind you not only of your bond with the pope but your bond with the flock. This is your purpose — to carry with your shoulders the least, the last, and the lost,” said Archbishop Palma.
In the message of the Papal Nuncio Charles Brown, he urged the faithful to take care of their new bishop.
“I beg you, cherish your archbishop. Respect your archbishop. Pray for your archbishop. And love your archbishop. Because He is God’s gift to you as your episcopus, the one who watches over this beautiful caravan of God, all different ways of witnessing to the love of Jesus that has been poured into our hearts,” said the Papal Nuncio.
Archbishop Dodong, in his gratitude speech, emphasized that it is the love of God that has brought him to this mission.
“In all my wretchedness and weaknesses, I may, till the end, testify to this amazing love that according to Dante, moves the sun and the stars. May this ministry carry a strong and tender message that in the local Church of Jaro, mahibaloan gyod natong tanan nga ang Diyos nahigugma sa aton,” said Archbishop Dodong.
He also urged the faithful to be martyrs in testifying to the love of the Lord.
“As I take canonical possession of our local Church, I offer to you my heart. Take possession, o Lord, and you my dear people, of this heart of Dodong,” said the good Archbishop.