BAGUIO CITY (PIA) — Baguio City and Benguet people celebrated the arrival of the newly appointed bishop of the Diocese of Baguio.
The Most Rev. Rafael T. Cruz was installed as the third Bishop of the Diocese of Baguio on September 17, 2024 at the Baguio Cathedral of our Lady of Atonement, and witnessed by thousands of people.
Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines, Most Rev. Charles Brown, served as the Installing Prelate while the Archbishop of Manila, His Eminence, Jose Cardinal Advincula acted as the homilist during the solemn canonical installation .
“Today is the day of great joy and rejoice here in your beautiful Cathedral of Our Lady of Atonement. And for me as a representative of Pope Francis, it gives me so much joy to share your experience of happiness as you receive your new bishop. The Church lifts up her eyes to the mountains, to see this beautiful moment, the installation of your new, the third Bishop of Baguio, His Excellency, Rafael Cruz,” Rev. Brown said.
Pope Francis appointed Rev. Cruz to the post on June 20, 2014 replacing then Bishop Victor Bendico, who was named Archbishop of Capiz in May last year. Bishop Cruz had his Episcopal ordination on September 7, 2024 at the Cathedral Parish of St. John the Evangelist in Dagupan, Pangasinan.
For 14 months, the Diocese of Baguio was led by Rev. Fr. Ronald Buyagan who was named the Administrator in the absence of a bishop.
Bishop Cruz was ordained in 1985 as a priest for the Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan. He headed the Parish of St. Ildephonse in Malasiqui, Pangasinan prior to being ordained as Bishop.
Prior to his installation ceremony and Eucharistic celebration at the historic Baguio Cathedral, a motorcade was also held along the major thoroughfares of the city followed by a civic reception.
On Monday, Sept. 16, a welcome ceremony for Bishop Cruz was held at the Our Lady of the Way Parish along Kennon Road at Twin Peaks, Tuba, Benguet. Local government officials of Baguio City led by Mayor Benjamin Magalong and Benguet led by Governor Melchor Diclas, and Tuba Mayor Clarita Sal-ongan, priests, community members and the Catholic faithful welcomed the new bishop.
This was followed by Bishop Cruz’s Midday Prayer and Profession of Faith at the San Pablo Seminary, Vespers, and Welcome Dinner at The Plaza Garden Hotel, Marcos Highway in Baguio City.
The newly bishop from Mapandan, Pangasinan, is not new to Baguio City. He studied philosophy at the San Pablo Regional College Seminary in Baguio City before finishing his theology studies at the Immaculate Conception School of Theology in Vigan City. (JDP/RMC with Betha Servito and Chelsea Doringo -PIA, PIA-SLU Interns, photos from Ompong Tan)
