INSTALLATION

Pope installs new Bishop of Masbate
By Jonas Cabiles Soltes

MASBATE CITY --- The Holy See through Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines Giuseppe Pinto, representative of Pope Benedict XVI, formally appointed the new Bishop of Masbate on Tuesday (September 6).

In a gathering of Church and political leaders that included Caceres Archbishop Leonardo Z. Legaspi, Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma and Masbate Governor Rizalina Seachon-Lanete, Monsignor Jose B. Bantolo, formerly vicar general of the Diocese of San Jose in Antique province, was formally appointed to head the island province’s 704, 000 Catholics.

Bantolo succeeded Bishop Joel Z. Baylon, who was installed as Bishop of Legazpi in 2009. Baylon was also present in the ceremonies.

He becomes the third Bishop of Masbate, following in the footsteps of the late Bishop Porfirio R. Ilagan, and Baylon.

The Diocese of Masbate, which is coextensive with Masbate province, has not had a bishop since Baylon took over the leadership of the Diocese of Legazpi, which is coextensive with Albay province.

Bartolo was born in Guisijan village in Laua-an, Antique and was ordained priest in 1986.

He became the rector of St. Peter’s Seminary in 1988 and the president of St. Anthony’s College in 2007. Both schools are in Antique province.

Fr. Leo Casas, executive director of the Social Action Center of the Diocese of Masbate, said Bishop Bantolo did not give lengthy message but just thanked all the persons who had been instrumental in his vocation including his family and his former parishioners in Antique province.

The pope here is… as if he is a telephone line or a cable or an internet. Installs? Hehe. Just kiddin’.