In Nomine Patris: A Tribute to Davao Church Fathers

Abp. Clovis Joseph Thibault, P.M.E., D.D.

Archbishop Clovis Joseph Thibault P.M.E., D.D was ordained priest when he was 24 years old on June 24, 1934 after obtaining an AB degree.

The first bishop of Davao and the second from the Foreign Mission Society of Quebec (PME) to be consecrated bishop, he arrived in Davao sometime in 1937 during which time he served his first assignment as assistant parish priest of San Pedro and also as the director of St. Peter’s Elementary School. He was appointed parish priest in 1939 and stayed in this capacity until 1946.

In 1948 he came back to Davao as regional superior of the PME Fathers. Then, in 1950 he became administrator of Davao until his consecration last February 11, 1955.

He was consecrated Bishop in solemn ceremonies held at the San Pedro Prelatic Church at age 44. Officiating at his consecration was Abp. James G. T. Hayes, S.J. archbishop of Cagayan de Oro.

Later, he was appointed as the first Archbishop of Davao, on July 11, 1966.

Mons Thibault founded the CARITAS-Davao in his last year as Archbishop of Davao. As a welfare agency, the men and women who were behind the agency believed in the principle that love of one’s neighbors manifested itself in giving encouragement, opportunity and assistance to the underprivileged who were willing to work and provide for their own needs. Its services were two-pronged: development and welfare. The first included projects, such as community organization, Self-Employment Assistance Program (SEAP), Responsible Parenthood, Handicrafts, Nutrition and a Program for Cultural Communities. Under the welfare services were relief work and blood-letting projects for the poor who were sick in emergency cases.

He was a priest for 40.8 years. He died on April 20, 1975 at age 65.

Abp. Antonio Ll. Mabutas J.C.D., D.D.

Archbishop Mabutas nurtured a hope that Davao’s Muslim communities would be a bridge of efforts to promote better understanding between other Muslims groups and the Christian communities in Mindanao. The Archbishop also immersed himself in the problems of the Archdiocese particularly, with the problems of poverty and alleviation of the economic hardships of the people. He was the successor of the founder of CARITAS-Davao, Mons. Thibault. To all the moral problems of abortion, divorce, juvenile delinquency; etc., Arch. Mabutas responded with the Church’s Vision and the Pastoral thrust in the building of Small Christian Communities “united in Faith and Love in Jesus Christ and interacting with one another through worship, service, and witnessing.” He crystallized his plans to provide immediate relief and rehabilitation for calamity victims.

He founded Teresian Daughters of Mary (TDM) on September 15, 1974. As a Vice-President of the CBCP, Arch. Mabutas had represented the Philippines in various international conferences and events such as the International Eucharistic Congress in Bogota, Colombia; the International Catechetical Conferences in Rome and in Medellin; and the Bishop’s Synod in Rome in 1971, 1977 and 1983. In June 1981, in the process of the CBCP annual meeting he was elected CBCP President succeeding Jaime Cardinal Sin. Mons. Mabutas spoke of the reconciliation as a way of life, or a certain readiness and openness to the whole saving process. The First Archdiocesan Pastoral Assembly of Davao (APAD) was held in November 1982. The Assembly was an effort to address the contemporary problems of the Church and revitalize it. Antonio Ll. Mabutas J.C.D, D.D was Archbishop of Davao from 1972 until 1996. He died on April 22, 1999, 7:53 am at age 77.

Abp. Fernando R. Capalla, D.D.

From a naughty Ilonggo child to a priest, a peace builder and a man of God, Archbishop Emeritus Fernando R. Capalla, D.D is known for promoting inter-religious dialogue, ecumenism, and the Mindanao process which endeared him to Catholics, Muslims, Buddhists and Indigenous people. His pastoral and spiritual leadership years were focused on peace and interreligious dialogues. He is known for his compassionate leadership, in pastoral and spiritual matters. He was never scared to be seen in public in a friendly discussion with Muslim, Buddhists, Christians and Lumads.

He was chair of the Office of the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences (FABC) based in Hong Kong (2009–2011). Moreover, former President Fidel Ramos appointed him vice-chair of the National Unification Commission in 1992. He was co-founder and co-convener of the BUC-AFP-PNP Forum for Peace (BAPFP) in 2007; a member of the National Peace Commission under President Joseph Estrada and Presidential Council on Values Formation (PCVF) under President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. His experiences and work for peace and reconciliation earned him the following awards: San Lorenzo Ruiz National Peace Award, Aurora Aragon Award for Peace Advocacy and Peace Building, Distinguished Peace Advocate Award from Ateneo de Manila University, Doctor of Humanities (Honoris Causa) from Ateneo de Davao University, Peace Champion in Mindanao by United Nation Development and Peace Commission, and Doctor of Humanities (Honoris Causa) from the University of the Immaculate Conception, Davao City.

Though retired as an archbishop, he still occupies his time with peace-keeping activities, while enjoying the company of 2 married couples, 2 religious, 3 dogs and chickens at Casa Emeritus, a donated home for him to stay.

Abp. Romulo G. Valles, D.D.

The present archbishop was appointed by Pope Benedict XVI on February 11, 2012 and his formal installation was on May 22, 2012. He is considered Davao home-grown as he graduated Valedictorian of Maryknoll High School of Lupon Davao Oriental in 1986 and has spent his early priesthood serving as assistant parish priest in the Christ the King Cathedral in Tagum, Davao del Norte (1976–1978); then parish priest in San Nicholas de Tolentino parish in Mati, Davao Oriental (1978–1982); parish priest, Christ the King Cathedral, Tagum and concurrent Vicar General (1982–1994). Abp. R. Valles was elected as one of the delegates of the CBCP to the XIII Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops in Rome last October 2012.

In all his previous assignments, Archbishop Romulo Valles is well-loved because of exuding simplicity and down-to-earth ways that earned the respect and admiration of parishioners.

Strengthening the Basic Ecclesial Communities (BECs) with concrete programs for the poor through social action and skills training is the thrust of the current shepherd.

When asked about his vision, he says, “more parishes, more BECs. When that happens, more lay leaders will immerse from the BECs, and ultimately creating an atmosphere that would foster vocation to the priesthood.”

At present, he is the Vice-President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines and the national Chairman of the International Eucharistic Congress in Cebu on January 24-31, 2016. (Teresa Marie Dumandan | Cheryl Vilog | Sources: The Sentinel, Davao Sentinel, DC Herald, TDM-lent references)