• THERESA MAE DULMAN
Most Rev. Louie Galbines started his ministry as the seventh bishop of the Diocese of Bacolod Aug. 11 with a central call to trust in God, and with his shepherd’s vision focused on his episcopal motto, “Confido (I trust)”.
Galbines was officially installed by papal nuncio to the Philippines, Archbishop Charles Brown, at the San Sebastian Cathedral, the seat of the Diocese.
“I trust in the Lord, I trust in my brother-priests, I trust in consecrated persons, and I trust in the people of God. Trust is the foundation of friendship. Jesus calls us his friends because he trusts us and his trust is everlasting,” Galbines stressed.
He said his ministry will build upon the foundation established by Bishop Emeritus Patricio Buzon.
“Bishop Pat, you are the planter. I am the harvester,” Galbines said in his message at the installation mass attended by 40 bishops, a diocesan administrator, two monsignori, the nuncio’s secretary and counselor, 350 concelebrating priests, over 1,500 crowd inside the Cathedral and about 1,000 nearby.
Galbines emphasized that the diocese’s central mission remains focused on supporting the faithful in developing a life rooted in Christ, saying a strong spiritual foundation directly enriches daily lives.
“In 2018, Pope Francis sent me to Kabankalan as a son of Bacolod, but eight years later, Pope Leo return me to Bacolod, no longer a son, but a father,” said the 59-year-old bishop, who was born in Sagay and raised in Bago.
“To the Bacolodnons, continue to smile, (and) I hope our smiles turn into laughter as we work together as brothers and sisters in the Lord,” Galbines added.
Brown, meanwhile, thanked Buzon for his 10 years of service and leadership. “With the vision focused on Christ, he was able to perfectly, and wonderfully oversee and watch over the people of God, all of us here, in the Diocese of Bacolod.”
The apostolic nuncio took note of the transition, from Buzon to Galbines, “as a passing of the faith from one bishop to another without interruption.”
“Today, we witness the passing on of the torch, the flame of faith here in the Diocese of Bacolod…from the sixth to the seventh bishop, without interruption,” Brown said in his message.
Cardinal Jose Advincula of Manila, who delivered the homily, called on Bacolodnons and Negrenses to support the new bishop with prayers and love. “Jesus has entrusted Bishop Louie to your love and care. May you support him with your prayers and ministry.” | TMD
