Bishop Aseo, Bishop Apigo join annual formation course in Rome

Bishop Abel C. Apigo, DD and Bishop Medil Aseo, DD together with the other six new Bishops coming from the Philippines attended the formation course organized by the Congregation for Bishops headed by His Eminence Cardinal Marc Quellet. The annual course for new Bishops took place last September 5, 2018 up to September 13, 2018 at the Regina Apostolorum Seminary in Rome. The title of the formation course for Bishops is SERVANTS OF THE JOY OF THE GOSPEL. The theme highlights the new document issued by the Holy Father Pope Francis Evangelii Gaudium (The Joy of the Gospel). The new Bishops were reminded of their important responsibility of proclaiming the Joy of the Gospel in our contemporary time. No matter how difficult it is to proclaim the gospel in our contemporary time yet the Holy Father challenged the new Bishops never to be afraid to become servants of the gospel.

The annual formation course was attended by one hundred and forty four (144) bishops from all over the world. Bishop Aseo said that, “I feel so privileged to have participated this seminar together with the other new Bishops. It gives me the enthusiasm to be more passionate in bringing the good news to God’s people and the topic of the patrimony of the church reminded me to use the resources of the church for the renewal and updating of the clergy and for pastoral needs of the people.”

The names of the eight bishops who came from the Philippines are the following: Bp. Daniel Presto, DD (Laoag), Bp. Bartolome Santos, DD (Iba), Bp. Mel Rey Uy, DD (Lucena), Bp. Rex C. Ramirez, DD (Naval), Bp. Louie Galvines, DD (Kabankalan), Bp. Cerilo Casicas, DD (Marbel), Bp. Medil Aseo, DD (Tagum) and Bp. Abel C. Apigo, DD (Mati).

Bp. Apigo said, “meeting and interacting with the other Bishops gave me a glimpse of the different situations where we are in at this time. But one thing is common to us – we are all grateful to God for the calling and we are all inspired to serve Him.”

The whole formation course was capped with the encounter of the new Bishops with the Holy Father Pope Francis last September 13, 2018 at the Vatican.