During the coffee table book launching of “Ecce Sacerdos: Celebrating the Priesthood in 500 Years of Christianity” on Friday, Feb. 24, 2023, Archbishop Jose Palma said that after the proposal’s presentation to the CBCP, initial documents on the proposed divisions of the Archdiocese of Cebu will be sent to Rome, which they expect will lead to comments and questions from the Vatican to further clarify whatever decisions that will be made.
“When we present it to Rome, it should be in a way that the many aspects of the division should be already well-prepared,” Palma told SunStar Cebu, adding that the archdiocese must have an “adequate explanation” and “reason for the division.”
Palma added that the study on Sugbuswak is being undertaken by various committees and it is headed by Cebu Auxiliary Bishop Midyphil “Dodong” Billones.
“The whole idea is, we hope to be able to come out with an integrated outlook, but more importantly, we start with the formation program. I think by the end of February, the modules would be prepared already,” Palma said.
The archbishop told reporters during the coffee table book launch on the Capelinha de Fatima Cebu on Feb. 17, 2023, that the idea of adding two dioceses to the archdiocese will be presented to every gathering attended by priests so they can better understand the concept and plans.
A few were a bit reluctant to the idea at the beginning, but after learning about Sugbuswak’s intention, Palma said he could not see any serious opposition to its implementation if the Vatican would allow it.
Palma further said that the reactions so far from laypersons showed that they are enthusiastic about Sugbuswak.
“The study is open to reflection. We are not close to possible reactions from people. We would like to believe that [if it is] given [enough] time, the proposals will gain more definitive recommendations,” he said.
The study is yet to determine the locations of the new dioceses, but Palma said that his goal is to have one diocese each in the north and south of Cebu. Each diocese will be autonomous and will not be under the Cebu archbishop’s authority.
The Archdiocese of Cebu, though considered as an ecclesiastical province, has no suffragan dioceses or dioceses directly under its jurisdiction.
The neighboring dioceses of Dumaguete in Negros Oriental and Siquijor, Maasin in Southern Leyte and Tagbilaran and Talibon in Bohol are under the ecclesiastical province of the Archdiocese of Cebu, but they are considered autonomous or not subject to the Cebu archbishop’s authority. (Jenika Gi-An C. Nero, STC intern)