Bishop Sipalay, a Dominican, heads Alaminos Diocese
BISHOP Napoleon Sipalay officially took on the responsibility as the new head of the Alaminos Diocese on Monday, March 18 pledging to lead a diocese that stands in solidarity with its people.
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines news website, Sipalay, 53, held his inaugural Mass as bishop at the Alaminos Cathedral on March 19, marking his assumption of the cathedral — the bishop’s seat — after presenting the congregation with the official decree from Pope Francis.
“Today, a new Filipino Dominican is ordained to the episcopate with Most Rev. Napoleon B. Sipalay, O.P., D.D. receiving his ordination from the Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines, Most Rev. Charles John Brown, D.D. Church leaders, including Manila Archbishop Jose Cardinal F. Advincula, O.P., D.D., are joining the faithful in celebrating this joyous occasion,” the CBCP reported.
Sipalay is the fourth bishop of the 39-year-old diocese, following his ordination to the episcopate at the Minor Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary of Manaoag a day earlier.
In his homily, Sipalay underscored the collective responsibility of all baptized individuals in the task of building the Church, emphasizing the need for unity and cooperation.
“Let us work together, let us journey together for the greater good of this diocese. Let us construct this Church together,” he urged the faithful.
Having been a Dominican priest for 26 years, the new bishop admitted feeling uncertain about his new role, referring to himself as a “kindergarten bishop.” Sipalay expressed his intention to approach his new position with humility, stating his readiness to both learn and listen to the needs of the diocese.
Alaminos had been without a bishop for the past four years following the transfer of Archbishop Ricardo Baccay to the Tuguegarao archdiocese.
Serving as the principal ordaining bishop was Archbishop Socrates Villegas of Lingayen-Dagupan, with Bishop Jose Jacinto of Urdaneta and Auxiliary Bishop Fidelis Layog as co-consecrators. (Eva Visperas)
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