CEBU CITY -- Members of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) elected Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma as their new president Saturday.
Cebu Auxiliary Bishop Julito Cortes, in a text message to Sun.Star Cebu, confirmed the results after bishops from the country’s 86 dioceses also voted for Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas, former spiritual adviser of the late president Corazon Aquino, as their new vice president.
Palma and the new members of the CBCP permanent council representing Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao will assume their posts in 2012.
“Cebu is honored and blessed by this event,” said Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama, whose congratulations a consultant relayed by text. “We extend our support to Archbishop Palma in leading CBCP endeavors that will help enhance the quality of life and spiritual lives of Filipinos.”
Elected as new treasurer is Dumaguete Bishop John Du, while the secretary general is Monsignor Joselito Asis.
Elections for the Episcopal commissions and the permanent council will go on Sunday, said Bishop Crispin Barette Varquez of the Borongan Diocese, also in a separate text message to Dr. Rene Josef Bullecer of the Human Life International. Bullecer forwarded the message to Sun.Star.
The election took place during the CBCP’s 103rd plenary assembly at the Pope Pius XII Catholic Center in Manila that started Saturday and will end Sunday.
Palma, who is currently the CBCP vice president, will replace Bishop Nereo Odchimar of Tandag. They are both serving their first terms.
The president and the vice-president are elected for two-year terms and can serve for a minimum of two terms. By tradition, they are reelected for their second and last term.
In CBCP history, members of the permanent council enjoy two terms in office, with the vice president normally succeeding the president when his term expires.
Palma was installed as archbishop of Cebu last January, replacing Archbishop Emeritus Ricardo Cardinal Vidal, who also served as CBCP president in 1986 and 1987. (GAC/With BAP of Sun.Star Cebu)
