Bishop Broderick Pabillo, former auxiliary bishop of Manila, vowed to continue working for justice and human rights as he was installed vicar apostolic of Taytay in Palawan on Thursday, August 19.
“My only goal is to enlighten people to the truth, promote justice, preserve the environment that is God’s gift for all and not just the few, and uphold the right of every person,” said the prelate.
Bishop Pabillo was formally installed by Bishop Socrates Mesiona of Puerto Princesa at St. Joseph the Worker Cathedral in the town of Taytay.
In his homily, Bishop Pabillo said he considers his installation in the province of Palawan as a “miracle.”
“This installation happening is a miracle of God, because of his love. It was a miracle of God that I was able to return to Palawan,” said the prelate.
Bishop Pabillo served as a missionary in the Apostolic Vicariate of Puerto Princesa in Palawan for seven years until he became a bishop.
“I really want to be able to come back and serve here in Palawan, but it is a great miracle that this desire has been fulfilled,” he said.
“It is also a miracle that even during a pandemic we have an installation,” added the bishop.
The bishop addressed the faithful of Taytay, saying that he would “try to pour myself out on you.”
“I will not refrain from speaking and acting to save you from danger and from deceptions,” he said.
The bishop assured that he will devote time and efforts to work with the laity and reach out to the “peripheries of society.”
Addressing government leaders, Bishop Pabillo, whose motto is “faith through love,” pledged to collaborate with the government for the good of the people.
He said commitment for the common good also means speaking out on issues that impact the people and trying to make change.
The bishop said that faith is nothing “if we do not help the needy, ignore the exploited, or let the ordinary people be deceived and misled.”
In a message, Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, prefect of the Vatican’s Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, assured Bishop Pabillo of prayers.
“God will show His faithfulness to His people through you, and you will see God’s grandeur through them,” said Cardinal Tagle.
Vicariates and prelatures are regarded by the Vatican as mission territories and fall under the jurisdiction of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples.
Pope Francis appointed Bishop Pabillo as the second vicar apostolic of Taytay on June 29 following the resignation of Bishop Edgardo Juanich in 2018 due to health reasons. – with a report from CBCP News
