NEXT CBCP PRESIDENT

LINGAYEN–The election of Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas as president of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) last July 7 was celebrated by Pangasinan as another source of pride for the province.

Gov. Amado Espino Jr. said Villegas’ election will “surely benefit the people of the entire country the way people of Pangasinan are greatly blessed from his effective spiritual leadership.”

For his part, Vice Gov. Jose Ferdinand Calimlim Jr, said, “His (Villegas) entry at the helm of the CBCP is “a breath of fresh air, just the same way as he was when he came to Pangasinan as our archbishop.”

Two of the province’s congressional representatives also welcomed the new role of Villegas, saying his performance in the archdiocese augurs well for his responsibilities in the national organization.

Fourth District Rep. Gina de Venecia congratulated Villegas saying, “His impressive pastoral works in the Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan where he has been moving the faithful to ethical and spiritual renewal is a testament of his inspired leadership that will further boost the CBCP’s status as the country’s strongest moral voice.”

Meanwhile, 3rd District Rep. Rosemarie “Baby” Arenas said in a text message, “I believe he will usher in a vibrant, relevant, responsive era in our church leadership. The Lord has divined that he leads the Church leaders in these challenging times because he has always been a paragon of religious virtue and Christian love. We are so proud that the Lord has chosen one among ours.”

“The Blessed Mother of Manaoag will always be there for him and we pray the Lord bless him with wisdom, courage and fortitude in his new task,” Arenas added.

DAGUPAN

Dagupan City Mayor Belen Fernandez said she and her fellow Dagupeños are doubly blessed to have Villegas as archbishop and at the same time as CBCP president.

“Father Soc’s very inspiring way of shepherding the Catholic faithful in our archdiocese will surely be spread around the country with his new mission via his election,” Fernandez said.

Villegas, who will succeed Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma on Dec. 1, 2013, was installed as the fifth archbishop of Lingayen-Dagupan in November 2009.

His predecessor, retired Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Oscar Cruz was also a CBCP president.

Cruz said in jest that Villegas is unlike him “who meddles in almost everything”.

“He (Villegas) is very intelligent and courageous. When I learned about his election (as CBCP president) I applauded,” Cruz said, that he has known Villegas when he was still a seminarian and as assistant of the late Jaime Cardinal Sin.

Cruz noted that upon his election last July 7, Villegas immediately spoke about “critical collaboration” with the government, a principle that came from Cardinal Sin.

“That means if you do good, I will applaud you, but if you do bad, I will speak out,” Cruz added.—Eva Visperas

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