New Cebu archbishop is human rights advocate

Pope Benedict XVI named Friday evening (Manila time) a human rights advocate as the new archbishop of Cebu. Benedict XVI named Palo Archbishop Jose Palma as the replacement for Ricardo Cardinal Vidal, whose resignation the pope accepted. “Unworthy as I am, I accepted the appointment out of obedience," Palma said in an article posted Friday night on the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) news site. Vidal submitted his letter of retirement to Benedict XVI as early as 2006, when he turned 75 years old. Canon law requires that Catholic bishops tender their resignation on their 75th birthday. But he will continue to head Cebu archdiocese as Apostolic Administrator with powers of an ordinary bishop until Archbishop Palma’s installation. The Vatican announced Palma's appointment at 6 p.m. Manila time. In the Philippines, Papal Nuncio Archbishop Edward Joseph Adams relayed the announcement in a communiqué sent to the CBCP Media Office in Manila. “I wrote to inform you that the Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI has appointed His Excellency Most Rev. Jose S. Palma until now the Archbishop of Palo, as Archbishop of Cebu," read the letter of Archbishop Adams dated Oct. 14, according to the Union of Catholic Asian News. Palma said he is “overwhelmed by the love of God" and the trust of the Holy Father. The incoming Cebu archbishop is known for being a vocal opponent of extra-judicial killings in Samar Island. He was then the bishop of Calbayog when retired Army General Jovito Palparan Jr. headed the 8th Infantry Division based in Catbalogan, Samar. At that time, Palma scored the military under Palparan for the reports on human rights violations there. He also pressed the government to pursue criminal prosecution of the retired military officer. As bishop of Calbayog, he joined other bishops of Samar crusading for environmental preservation and protection of the island. In March 2006, he was appointed as archbishop of Palo in Leyte province. Palma was born in Dingle, Iloilo on March 19, 1950. He studied philosophy at St. Vincent Ferrer Seminary and his theology at St. Joseph Regional Seminary. He earned his Licentiate in Sacred Theology at the University of Sto. Tomas in Manila, and his doctorate at the St. Thomas Aquinas Pontifical University in Rome. Palma was ordained priest for the Archdiocese of Jaro on August 21, 1976. After a year as parochial vicar at the Jaro Cathedral, he was given a teaching assignment in St. Vincent Ferrer Seminary. He then became rector of the St. Joseph Regional Seminary. At the same time he occupied several positions in the diocese. In 1997 he became the parish priest of the Parish of St. Anthony of Padua in Jaro. In 1998, he was named Auxiliary Bishop of Cebu by then Pope John Paul II. A year later, he was transferred to Calbayog diocese. Palma is currently serving his first term as vice president of the CBCP. Vidal, meanwhile, was born on February 6, 1931, in Mogpog on Marinduque Island. He led the Cebu archdiocese since September 1982. He often spoke out on important issues not only relating to Church and religion but also on social and national concerns. But he had been opposed to protest actions and the use of force, which he said is dangerous and useless in promoting change and progress in the country. He also served as president of the CBCP from 1986 to 1987. From 1985 to 1994, he chaired the standing committee of the Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences. Vidal received several awards his dedication to the Filipino people, including by the secular world. In 1998, the Cultural Center of the Philippines presented him with the Outstanding Filipino Award. In 2002, the University of Southern Philippines Vidal awarded him the Rizal Peace Prize.— LBG, GMANews.TV