Mati welcomes new Bishop

Bishop Abel Apigo installed as second Bishop of Mati

MATI CITY—Crowds line up along the street patiently waiting under the heat of the sun just to have a glimpse of their new bishop.

The bishop, standing at the back of a makeshift ‘bishop mobile’, waves at the crowd, sayiing “Salamat kaayo ha” and “God bless you” as the convoy is heading towards the San Nicolas de Tolentino Cathedral where he will take his seat as the new bishop of the Diocese of Mati, April 25.

One lady tried to reach out the hand of the bishop as she stood in the middle of the street, saying “taga-Bohol pud ko, Bishop” as they already know that Bishop Abel Apigo’s roots can be traced back to Bohol.

A father stood in the middle of the busy street island in Mati while carrying his child and extending her towards the bishop to ask for his blessing.

At 3:00 pm, the ceremony of the canonical installation of the new bishop began with bishops from different parts of Mindanao present.

Archbishop of Davao Romulo G. Valles and Archbishop-Emeritus of Davao Fernando R. Capalla led the new bishop as he sits on the cathedra, the symbol of authority of Bishop Apigo over the entire Diocese of Mati.

Bishop of Ipil Julius S. Tonel, the homilist during the Mass has likened Bp. Apigo to his son as he is his former student way back at the St. Francis Xavier College Seminary and Regional Major Seminary of Mindanao.

Bishop Tonel also recounted that Nanay Pining, the mother of Bishop Apigo told him that it is him who convinced her to allow her son to enter the seminary and now, his former student has become a bishop, the second to shepherd Mati.

“Ang Obispo ang sentro sa panag-hiusa sa iyang diocese,” Bishop Tonel said, adding that “Kung asa ang Obispo anaa gyud ang Simbahan.”

He also reminded the priests of Mati to be in communion with their bishop.

In his response before the final blessing, Bishop Apigo thanked the people of Mati for their warm welcome.

“Isip inyong ika-duhang Obispo, malipayon kamong nidawat kanako. Thank you so much,” Bp. Apigo said as he also thanked Bishop Emeritus Patricio Alo and Apostolic Administrator Msgr. Editho Baño for leading the flock of Mati before his appointment as new bishop.

Bishop Apigo also thanked the missionaries who planted the seeds of faith in the early days prior to the creation of Diocese of Mati, the Maryknoll Fathers and the PME Fathers.

“I simply follow the path of the great missionaries and the previous bishop. I am indebted to them for all their work,” he quipped.

“As I take the seat of the Diocese, I rely on the Lord who is my strength,” Bp. Apigo ended. (Photos by Brenda P. Milan)