A CALL to serve, listen and renew.
This was how Administrator of Capiz Cardinal Jose Advincula described his new assignment as the Archbishop-elect of Manila during his homily in the thanksgiving mass of his bestowal ceremonies on Friday at the Immaculate Conception Metropolitan Cathedral in Roxas City Capiz.
He noted that while his new position brings glory to the Archdiocese of Capiz, where he currently serves, it also comes with the new burden of living up to the example of Jesus Christ.
“He must always be ready to serve and even to suffer for the sake of those he serves for that is the essence of a true servant. He is a servant of the gospel. and not of any ideology,” Advincula said.
The prelate said he must also strive to become a “pivot” in which he serves as conduit to bring the voice of the people before the Pope and to God.
Last, Advincula said his new position will require constant renewal of his faith so that he will not stray from the path of Christ through the “many forms of corruption of the priestly life.”
Service to the Church
He urged the faithful to continue to pray for him so he could continue to faithfully perform his new role in the largest archdiocese in the country.
“Honestly, I was expecting to serve here in Capiz until the Lord calls me back to him. But the Holy Father has called me to go to Manila. And I have to obey. Please accompany me with your prayers as I journey in this new field of ministry,” Advincula said.
Before the mass ended, Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines Charles Brown noted how the disposition of Advincula’s “Red Hat,” giving of his ring, and assignment of title last Friday, to symbolize his new authority, was such a rare event.
He noted such ceremony, which was held in Capiz because of the pandemic, is rarely held outside of Rome.
Brown congratulated Advincula for being able to serve the wider Church in the entire Philippines represented by its capital, Manila.