Below is Cebu Archbishop Alberto “Abet” Uy’s message during the Governance Team Orientation at the Filipiniana Hall of the Archbishop’s Residence. last 6 January 2026
To the Episcopal Vicars and Vicars Forane of the Archdiocese of Cebu: My dear brothers in the priesthood, thank you for saying yes to this ministry. To be an Episcopal Vicar or a Vicar Forane is not a decoration—it is a participation in the bishop’s pastoral heart.
You do not simply represent my authority. You share my burden, my concern, my sleepless nights, and my hope for our people.
And today, I want to speak to you not as administrators, but as pastors entrusted with people, priests, and the future of the Church in Cebu.
Be Fathers before you are Managers
First, I ask you: be fathers before you become managers.
Your district and vicariate do not need another office that issues memos. They need a presence that listens, accompanies, and corrects with love.
Know your priests—not only their assignments, but their struggles:
- Who is tired?
- Who is discouraged?
- Who is isolated?
- Who is slowly burning out in silence?
A good vicar does not wait for problems to explode. He walks early with his brothers, especially the quiet ones.
Remember: A priest rarely leaves because of too much work. He leaves because he feels alone.
If your priests feel accompanied, the people will be cared for.
Be Bridges, Not Bottlenecks
Second, be bridges—never bottlenecks.
You are not meant to block communication between the bishop and the clergy. You are meant to facilitate communion.
When priests speak to you, listen deeply. When the bishop asks for something, explain it pastorally, not defensively.
Your role is not to say, “That’s not possible.”
Your role is to ask, “How can we walk toward this together?”
Synodality will fail in Cebu if vicars become gatekeepers instead of bridge-builders.
You are the circulation system of the local Church. If communication is blocked, the body suffers.
Lead with Moral Credibility, not just Position
Third, lead with moral credibility.
Your influence does not come from your title. It comes from:
- your simplicity of life
- your prayer
- your transparency
- your integrity in money and relationships
Priests do not follow you because you are appointed. They follow you because they trust you.
In our time—when the Church is watched closely by society—
we cannot afford leaders who are correct in policy but weak in witness.
Your life must be your loudest homily.
Help the Church move, not stay comfortable
Fourth, help the Church move forward.
The Archdiocese of Cebu is on a long synodal journey toward 2034. This journey will not move forward if districts and vicariates remain:
- reactive instead of proactive
- maintenance-oriented instead of mission-oriented
- comfortable instead of courageous
Ask yourselves:
- Are our meetings life-giving or merely routine?
- Are we forming leaders, or just maintaining structures?
- Are we responding to real human suffering, or just liturgical schedules?
The people are waiting for a Church that goes out, not one that stays safe.
Walk with me—not ahead of me, not behind me
Finally, my brothers, walk with me.
Do not walk ahead of the bishop as if you know better.
Do not walk behind as if you are afraid to lead.
Walk with me—in honesty, dialogue, and shared responsibility.
If you disagree, speak.
If you are tired, say so.
If you see danger, warn me.
I do not need perfect vicars. I need truthful, prayerful, courageous companions.
Final Words
Brothers, the future of the Church in Cebu will not be decided in documents alone.
It will be decided in:
- how you accompany your priests
- how you animate your districts
- how you witness to Christ in quiet, unseen ways
You are not simply administrators of territory. You are shepherds of shepherds.
Let us ask the Lord for the grace to be vicars after the Heart of Christ— firm in truth, gentle in love, and always close to our people.
Salamat kaayo, mga igsoon.
Padayon ta sa paglakaw uban sa Ginoo ug sa Iyang katawhan.