POST-COMMUNION ADDRESS
EPISCOPAL ORDINATION OF
Fr. Broderick S. PABILLO, D.D.
Apostolic Vicariate of Puerto Princesa
19 August 2006
By ARCHBISHOP FERNANDO FILONI
Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines

 
Your Eminence, Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales, Metropolitan and Archbishop of Manila;
Dear Most Rev. Pedro Arigo, Apostolic Vicar of Puerto Princesa;
Dear Most Rev. Archbishops and Bishops;
Dear Bishop Broderick Pabillo;
Honourable Edward Hagedorn, City Mayor of Puerto Princesa;
Distinguished Government Officials;
Dear Fathers, Sisters and Brothers in Christ;
Dear family, relatives, and friends of Bishop Pabillo.

It gives me great joy today to be with you in the Con-celebration and Episcopal Ordination of Bishop Pabillo where we manifest ourselves as one family of God. In this solemn moment we give thanks to the Lord for giving us this wondrous gift of being part of the Catholic Church, in which we gather to offer a perfect sacrifice to the glory of His name.

Dear beloved Cardinal Rosales:

Today, the Church entrust to you another Brother, who is consecrated in the Episcopal order to help you in the pastoral ministry of the particular Church in Manila. From your mutual collaboration and charity, begin a greater good for the Church. Let us remember well the words of Jesus: “by this love you have for one another, everyone will know that you are my disciples” (Jn. 13:35).

Dear Priests of Manila:

You have the obligation to love your new Bishop who is a constituted as your elder brother in order to help and sustain you in the presbyterial ministry. Beginning with this unique occasion, you are called to share with greater joy and commitment in the pastoral care of Christ’s flock while counting on mind, heart, and hands of Bishop Pabillo.

Dear Bishop Pedro Arigo, dear Priests and Religious men and women of Puerto Princesa,

I am sure you rejoice to see a priest from this Apostolic Vicariate called to be Bishop in the Church. Jesus fixed his eyes on one priest among you. Bishop Pabillo came here, lived for a while with you, shared his gifted heart and mind in this Church and now is being called back to Manila. You enjoyed of his presence for a while. Generously you now are giving to the Church in Manila one of your good priests and a brother; I am sure that, from a good root, a new good shoot will grow soon for the pastoral needs of Puerto Princesa.

My dear Bishop Pabillo:

Today, Christ the High Priest, has endowed you with the gift of the fullness of the Priesthood. Do not forget what the Lord Jesus has done for you today! You are called to serve; you are called to sustain the faith and nurture the growth of the Faithful and the Clergy in perfect harmony and communion. Together with your Archbishop, I also will accompany you in your ministry with affection, prayer and fraternal solidarity in the Lord. Congratulations! Mabuhay!

Let me say something to the dear Faithful of Puerto Princesa, and especially to the Faithful of St. Ezekiel Moreno Parish in Macarascas where Bishop Pabillo was your priest:

Perhaps this is the first time a Cardinal, the Apostolic Nuncio and so many Bishops and priests have all been together in your Parish. This happened because of the special occasion we are celebrating. Certainly, you will not forget this memorable day.

I understand also that a bit of sadness could be mixed with your joy. Sadness because Bishop Pabillo will leave your Parish, and, at the same time, gladness because he was chosen to be the Bishop of the Church.

Although experiencing these mixed feelings, I am sure that you, through your prayers and affection, will sustain the newly-ordained Auxiliary Bishop of Manila in his mission and service to the Church, as I am sure that Bishop Pabillo will continue to love you and to support you in your way of faith and good.

Being my first occasion in Palawan, at the end, I want to bring your knowledge, my dear Faithful, the deep esteem and the fatherly care of the Successor of the Apostle Peter, Pope Benedict XVI, for all of you. I am sure, you are in his prayers and love, as he will be in yours.

Be faithful to Jesus and His Church! And God bless you!