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Priests attend the installation of Bishop Roberto Gaa as the new prelate of Novaliches on Aug. 24. (Photo by Angie de Silva)
Aug. 27, 2019
Joe Torres
Union of Catholic Asian NewsMANILA, Philippines - When he was recently ordained a bishop in Manila, Father Roberto Gaa admitted feeling "inadequate." He said he had to ask for an "orientation on how to be a bishop."
On Aug. 24, when he was installed prelate of Novaliches Diocese, north of the capital, the new bishop again asked for prayers from Catholics.
"I don't want you to stop praying for me," he said. "There are so many challenges ahead."
The new bishop paid tribute to retired Bishop Antonio Tobias, his predecessor, for his “service for God’s people."
"He’s been a great vessel of the spirit to bring life, vitality and firmness in faith, to God’s people," he said.
"These are very big shoes to fill but I trust in the Lord, who has guided the diocese," said Bishop Gaa as he asked the retired prelate for guidance "in the great task ahead."
"Continue to pray and guide us so that everything we do will be according to the will of God," he said during his installation.
Several Filipino priests have been ordained and installed as bishops this month after several dioceses went years without a prelate.
Bishop Jose Rapadas, the country's youngest prelate to date, will be installed as head of Iligan Diocese next month.
During his ordination, Bishop Rapadas said he knows he faces challenges and asked people for prayers in his new mission. "Please pray for me that I may have the courage and strength … that I may be a joyful and humble servant to the people of Iligan entrusted to my care," he said.
Earlier, Bishop Dennis Villarojo was installed in Malolos Diocese in Bulacan province. Father Midyphil Billones of Iloilo City was ordained as auxiliary bishop of Cebu on Aug. 27.
During his installation on Aug. 21, Bishop Villarojo said "the mission of the Church is to wipe away the blood, tears, and sweat of those who are heavily laden."
Upon his arrival in his diocese, the new prelate visited some ministries that attend to the Church’s works of mercy, such as houses of charity and a correctional facility.
The diocese has been without a bishop since Bishop Jose Oliveros died in May 2018.Second thoughts
Pope Francis has appointed eight Filipinos as bishops this year.
Cardinal Gaudencio Rosales, retired archbishop of Manila, however, said several priests, although not that many, refuse to be appointed as bishops.
They know the "big responsibility" that comes with it, which is why some priests have either second thoughts about accepting the appointment or refuse it, said the retired prelate.
Cardinal Rosales said those who came to him for advice refused the appointment convinced that they could not handle the post.
"They know how big the responsibility of a bishop is," said the former head of the Commission on Clergy of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines.
"You cannot violate their conscience. If they think they cannot do it, I respect that," said Cardinal Rosales. "You don't force them."
Despite the Philippines being predominantly Catholic, the country lacks priests to serve its growing population. The estimated ratio of priests to Catholics is one priest to about 9,000. The ideal number is supposed to be one priest per 2,000 Catholics.
Bishop Gaa's diocese, which used to be considered a "mission area," has now about two million Catholics.
"We have lifted ourselves up from being a mission area, totally dependent on Manila Archdiocese, and are now standing on our own feet," said the new prelate.
During the Filipino bishops' ad limina apostolorum visit to Rome early this year, Bishop Francisco de Leon of Antipolo proposed to allow lay people or nuns to administer dioceses instead of priests.
"I think and I feel that it’s high time for us bishops to leave the administration of the diocese to the competent laity or religious person," he said.
Bishop De Leon said prelates should instead focus their attention on "praying, preaching and new evangelization."
He said that by allowing lay people or religious persons to run dioceses, bishops can spend more time on their pastoral duties.
Roy Lagarde contributed to this report.