Palma to celebrate 62nd birthday with the deaf

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma will mark his 62nd birthday today with confirmation rites for the deaf at his residence.

Father Ian Balankig, the Archbishop’s assistance, said that a traditional mañanita for Palma will be held at 5:00 a.m. today.

A mass will follow at 10:00 a.m. which will be celebrated by Palma himself. At 3:00 p.m. the confirmation rite of the still undetermined number of deaf from the different parishes will be held at the Archbishop’s Palace.

“Just a simple celebration this year,” Balangkig said.

This will be Palma’s second birthday celebration in Cebu since his appointment as Archbishop of Cebu in January last year.

Born in Dingle, Iloilo on March 19, 1950, Palma was named after St. Joseph.

Last year, Palma celebrated his birthday by leading 5,000 people in a penitential “walk for life” to signify the Church’s opposition to the Reproductive Health (RH) Bill.

Palma then said that the walk manifests the importance of human life from the moment of conception.

Also during his 61st birthday celebration, the Cebu archbishop urged priests to remain faithful to their vocation and to continue renewing their priestly vows. — (FREEMAN)