Newly-ordained Bishop Glenn Corsiga of the Diocese of Ipil in Zamboanga highlighted Aug. 4 the need for collaboration among different religions and with the government to achieve peace and reconciliation in conflict areas.
Corsiga, 60, a native of Pamplona, Negros Oriental, was recently ordained in Dumaguete City as the new bishop of Ipil and will be formally installed by Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Charles Brown, on Aug. 14.
Corsiga told the Philippine News Agency that he is ready to take on the challenge of addressing peace and reconciliation in “conflict areas”, but he cannot do it alone.
“One thing I am glad about is that the Church and the government have a very good relationship at the moment,” he said. “But what I also look forward to is establishing a relationship with other religions that are present in Zamboanga-Sibugay, especially the Muslim community.”
Corsiga said he hopes to reestablish a group of religious leaders, who would foster better relations, dialogue and understanding among communities.
“There has been a bishop and ulama kind of movement but it’s not working actively, so I wish to reestablish that because I need to coexist with them and to work with them in the service of the people,” he said.
Corsiga also received two key assignments from the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) during a plenary assembly in Bohol – as representative of the Western Mindanao Area in the Permanent Council, and as archdiocesan coordinator, together with a lay person, in the implementation of synodality.
He thanked Dumaguete Bishop Julito Cortes, who played a vital role in his priestly ministry, under whose prelature Corsiga had served in various positions, including as diocesan vicar general.
Corsiga was the last appointee of Pope Francis in the Philippines on April 14, before the Pontiff died seven days later.
He was ordained on Dec. 14, 1993 in the Diocese of Dumaguete, and was the parish priest of St. Augustine of Hippo Parish in Bacong, Negros Oriental, until his appointment as bishop of Ipil. ||
