CEBU CITY -- Archbishop Jose Palma on Wednesday made a plea for unity and thanked Cebuanos, from top local officials to school children lined up on the streets, for an "overwhelming" welcome.
"I hope that we, Cebuanos, would be united and help each other for the growth of the church," he said at a formal reception Wednesday night.
Guests at the reception in the Sacred Heart Center included Jaro Archbishop Angel Lagdameo, Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales, Papal Nuncio Archbishop Edward Adams, Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia and Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama.
The reception followed a motorcade -- whose route was lined by students, workers and other citizens who cheered loudly and waved yellow and white banners -- and solemn rites at the Archbishop's Residence.
Palma said he views Cebu as "a wonderful province" that has produced two Papal Nuncios, many archbishops and bishops, hundreds of priests, senators, congressmen, chiefs of justice of the Supreme Court, and legends of music and sports.
He acknowledged the challenges ahead but said he would rely on the nearly four million Catholics, 370 diocesan priests, 282 religious priests, more than 400 seminarians and about a thousand religious nuns in the Archdiocese of Cebu.
"There is so much work, but there are so many collaborators, too," he said.
"In my small capacity, I know this [Cebu assignment] is God's will for me," he said at the formal reception.
Archbishop Emeritus of Cebu Ricardo Cardinal Vidal, who was his usual jovial self, welcomed Palma Wednesday night with a joke: "Cebuanos have the reputation of slaying people they do not like. Think of Magellan, the poor fellow.
"But they also have a reputation for taking care of the little fellows whom they like. They kept the Sto. Niño in good condition until the arrival of Legazpi 40 years later. They accepted me, as I am of the same height as the Sto. Niño," he said.
"Archbishop Joe, Cebu might be a dynamo of progress in the Philippines, but as you will see later on in your first Fiesta Señor as archbishop of Cebu, it is also a dynamo of faith," Cardinal Vidal added.
During the motorcade, the new shepherd of the archdiocese responded to the warm welcome by opening the window of the Grandia he was riding to wave back at and bless the people.
He arrived here at 3 p.m. from Manila and was met by church and government officials led by Cebu Auxiliary Bishop Julito Cortes, Bishop Antonio Rañola and Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Paz Radaza.
Flock
At a special airport lounge, another delegation was on hand to meet him, led by Cebu City Mayor Rama and Central Command Chief Lieutenant General Ralph Villanueva.
In a brief encounter with the media, Palma told reporters his flight was "wonderful" and that he was "overwhelmed by the warm welcome."
Outside the lounge, a small group of young women from the non-government organization Visayas Forum gathered, holding a streamer and saying in chorus, "Welcome, Archbishop Palma!" as soon as the prelate stepped out.
Palma went near the group, clasped his hands, waved at them and mouthed, "Thank you."
Rhyjel Godinez, 18, told Sun.Star Cebu they gathered at the airport at 1 p.m. to greet Palma.
"Isip myembro sa amo organization na mga kasambahay, nag-ampo mi na ipadayon ni Archbishop Palma ang nasugdan ni [Archbishop Emeritus of Cebu] Cardinal Ricardo Vidal na mga programa (We pray that Archbishop Palma will continue the programs Cardinal Vidal has started)," she said.
The motorcade started at the Mactan Cebu International Airport and made its way through the main thoroughfares of the cities of Lapu-Lapu, Mandaue and Cebu.
Reception
The group made a short stop at the Mandaue City Hall, where Palma disembarked to greet the Sinulog dancers and a contingent led by Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes.
Along the route, students from various schools such as Colegio dela Inmaculada Conception and Mandaue City Central School waved white and yellow flags, the official colors of the Holy See.
Church bells rang at the St. Joseph the Patriarch in Barangay Mabolo, Cebu City, where Archbishop Palma made another brief stop to greet parishioners led by parish priest Msgr. Jose Dosado and Fr. Joy Danao.
He arrived at his new residence, the Palacio de Arzobispo, at 4 p.m. and was met by Cardinal Vidal, Chancellor Msgr. Adelito Abella and Archdiocesan Media Liaison Officer Msgr. Achilles Dakay.
The Rites of Reception followed, which began with Cardinal Vidal handing over a crucifix and a vessel filled with holy water.
Palma received and venerated the crucifix. He proceeded to first bless with holy water Cardinal Vidal, who was standing at his right, and the others gathered inside the St. Joseph Chapel.
The ritual, which was led by the Master of ceremonies, Fr. Mhar Balili, proceeded with a Gospel reading about the Good Shepherd who "lays down his life for the sheep" and the hymn "Veni Creator Spiritus," which invokes the Holy Spirit.
Oath
Archbishop Palma led the congregation in reciting the profession of faith in Latin. He then recited the oath of fidelity, also in Latin.
After the 30-minute solemn rite, Palma made his first blessing as archbishop of Cebu. He received a round of applause after he was introduced to the crowd by Fr. Balili.
In a separate interview, Msgr. Achilles Dakay explained the oath of fidelity is a promise a bishop makes to the Holy Father.
"This means that he is saying 'I will be faithful to what the Pope would say' and that he will not deviate from it,'" said Dakay.
The crucifix handed by Cardinal Vidal is a symbol of the Christian faith, while the water is a reminder of the sacrament of baptism.
Msgr. Dakay said the coat of arms of the new archbishop of Cebu would be on display at the residence, just like that of the prelates before him.
Archbishop Palma's coat of arms contains the words "non nobis domine," which means, "Not to us, Lord, but to your name be the glory."
Service
The coat of arms currently used by Palma, who was the archbishop of Palo, had to be modified for his new assignment.
"He [Palma] already had the Ave Maria from Iloilo, where he comes from. But he was willing to cut that off from his personal coat of arms for the diocese he will serve," said Msgr. Cris Garcia.
"He wanted the Sto. Niño because he was ordained on the feast of the Sto. Niño. He was also made the auxiliary bishop of Cebu, which is his first assignment as bishop. But we can't put a statue on the coat of arms. What we did is put the crown of the Sto. Niño instead," he added.
The symbol of St. Joseph, a staff and a lily were also placed on the seal. This represents the first name of the bishop, "Jose," while a palm represents his surname, "Palma".
A mosaic of the new coat of arms is being prepared and will be placed at the cathedra or the archbishop's seat at the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral.
A temporary seal will be installed Thursday, in time for the installation rites. (Bernadette A. Parco/Sun.Star Cebu)
