Monsignor Uy installed Tagbilaran bishop

TAGBILARAN CITY, Philippines — Monsignor Alberto Sy Uy yesterday was installed as the new bishop of the Diocese of Tagbilaran.

Uy’s installation was administered by main consecrator Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle, assisted by Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma, Talibon Diocese Bishop Patrick Parcon, who also had his episcopal ordination the other day in Talibon, Bohol.

Appointed by Pope Francis in October last year, Uy’s canonical installation was held at the St. Joseph Cathedral in Tagbilaran and was attended by a multitude of faithful, government officials, religious and other sectors. The city government had to impose tight security in the city and close the main streets, leading to the cathedral.

Uy, a native of Ubay town in Bohol, served as a priest for more than 23 years. He was the parish priest of St. Michael the Archangel Parish in Jagna, Bohol and episcopal vicar for the clergy of the Diocese of Talibon until his appointment as bishop.

Uy took up his philosophical studies at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary in Tagbilaran City, theology degree and then masters in pastoral ministry at the St. John Mary Vianney Theological Seminary in Cagayan de Oro City, according to the website of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines.

He also completed his licentiate in Sacred Theology’ at the Loyola School of Theology in Quezon City; and doctorate in Sacred Theology at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, Italy in 2006.

Uy is the 7th bishop to serve the Tagbilaran Diocese, after its creation 75 years ago.

The others were: Most Rev. Julio Cardinal Rosales from 1946 to 1949; Manuel Mascariñas (1951-1976); Onesimo Gordoncillo (1976-1986); Felix Zafra (1986-1992); Leopoldo Tumulak (1992-2006); and Leonardo Medroso (2006-2016).

Uy is also the 12th Boholano who became bishop so far, after Bishop Parcon of Talibon Diocese.

The others were: The late Msgr. Manuel Mascariñas; the late Msgr. Felix Zafra; the late Msgr. Alfredo Bacquia (former auxiliary bishop of the Davao Archdiocese; Most Rev. Jesus Tuquib (archbishop of Cagayan de Oro); Msgr. Juan de Dios Pueblos (bishop of Butuan); Msgr. Zacarias Jimenez (bishop of Pagadian); Msgr. Arturo Bastes (bishop of Sorsogon); Msgr. Romulo Valles (archbishop of Zamboanga); Msgr. Antonieto Cabajog (bishop of Surigao); Msgr. Crispin Varquez (bishop of Borongan); and Archbishop Bernardito Auza, permanent observer of the Holy See to the United Nations. (FREEMAN)