• CHERYL G. CRUZ
Bishop Louie Galbines of the Kabankalan Diocese will be installed as the seventh bishop of the Bacolod Diocese by Archbishop Charles John Brown, apostolic nuncio to the Philippines, at the San Sebastian Cathedral on Aug. 11.
Activities for the canonical possession and solemn installation of Galbines, 59, who was born in Sagay and raised in Bago, will be witnessed by around 39 bishops and some 200 priests, led by Manila Archbishop Jose Cardinal Advincula, who will be the homilist during the installation ceremony.
Rev. Fr. Mitchel Guadalupe, vice chairperson of the Executive Committee for the Canonical Installation, said at the press conference Aug. 6 that Galbines will be welcomed at the Tanolo Bridge in Hinigaran, the ecclesiastical boundaries of the two dioceses, in the afternoon of Aug. 10.
A welcome ceremony will be held at the Sta. Maria Magdalena Parish in the town, before the motorcade to Bacolod City, with the expected arrival at around 4:30 Monday afternoon, Guadalupe said.
The procession from the replica of the New Government Center at the Bacolod plaza to the Cathedral will follow, and the Diocese already requested the city government for a temporary road closure, from 3-6 p.m. on Aug. 10, of Gonzaga, Gatuslao, and Rizal streets, as well as the intersection of Rizal and San Juan streets, to ensure the safe and orderly conduct of the procession and the welcome program.
Guadalupe said Galbines will be welcomed to the Cathedral by Msgr. Ronaldo Quijano, rector of the San Sebastian Parish, with the vespers open to the public.
Another road closure has been requested, from 6:30 a.m. to noon of Aug. 11, covering Gonzaga, Gatuslao, Galo, Rizal, and San Juan streets, and the intersection of Rizal and San Juan streets, for the procession of the priests and bishops, and other participants, around the plaza, before the installation rites that will start at 9 a.m.
Rev. Fr. Narciso Gregori Gayares VII, who is in-charge of the liturgy, said only three representatives from each of the 69 parishes across the Diocese will be allowed entry to the Cathedral and witness the canonical installation, along with other invited guests, to ensure the solemnity of the event.
Galbines was appointed May 14 by Pope Leo XIV to succeed Bishop Patricio Buzon.
Buzon, 76, is now the apostolic administrator of the Bacolod Diocese, following his retirement after surpassing the mandatory retirement age for Catholic bishops. He led the Diocese for nearly 10 years. | CGC
