The hand that rocks the cradle

FOR Archbishop Jose Palma of Cebu it is a great challenge to be serving as prelate of the country’s largest archdiocese, which is considered by many “the cradle of Christian civilization” in the country.

It was here in 1521 that the first European explorers headed by Ferdinand Magellan established a settlement and introduced Christianity to the archipelago.

Cebu archdiocese covers the whole province.

Archbishop Palma, 61, is also the president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP).

Much of his time and energy is spent in Cebu because of its size. But to him every second counts because the archdiocese has maintained its spirit of religiosity.

“The people’s devotion is strong. They really live up to the tag: ‘the cradle of our Christian civilization,’” Archbishop Palma said.

“Many people go to church, they attend novenas and processions. Lay people are very much involved in the church. All this to me are the consolation and joys of being a bishop of Cebu,” he said.

Archbishop Palma has been to the remotest parishes since his installation on January 13, 2011. He journeyed with the priests and guided them in finding ways and means to live up to the call of the priesthood in terms of holiness, zeal in pastoral ministry, and dedication in various work.

“I feel that priests, being the primary collaborators of the bishop, should also be given that close interpersonal relationship,” he said.

“The challenge is to know them more personally and to be able to inspire them as demanded by our ministry. The big number of priests is basically a blessing but it has its own corresponding challenges,” he said.

“I thank the Lord that in general priests in Cebu carry that religiosity which is in Cebuano culture.”

See full article on ucanews.com