Alaminos’ new shepherd was ordained to the episcopate on Monday and gave insight into what he finds important and inspiring: compassion, love, and mercy.
“It has shaped me, it will continue to guide me, especially in this new mission,” said Bishop-elect Napoleon Sipalay of Alaminos.
Around a thousand people came to the Minor Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary of Manaoag in Pangasinan province to witness the episcopal ordination of Alaminos’ fifth bishop.
Serving as the principal ordaining bishop was Archbishop Socrates Villegas of Lingayen-Dagupan, with Bishop Jose Jacinto of Urdaneta and Auxiliary Bishop Fidelis Layog as co-consecrators.
Over 200 priests, 37 bishops, and one abbott processed into the cathedral for the start of the Mass.
Pope Francis on Jan. 28 named the Dominican priest as the new bishop of the Alaminos, succeeding Archbishop Ricardo Baccay who has been assigned to Tuguegarao in 2019.
During the four-year “sede vacante” period, the diocese was administered by Layog as apostolic administrator.
Sipalay is the third Filipino Dominican to be elevated to the episcopate.
The last Filipino Dominican to be ordained bishop was the late Bishop Jose Salazar in 1996. It has also been 10 years since the passing of the first Filipino Dominican Archbishop Leonardo Legaspi.
The new bishop chose “Misericordiam Dei et Vestram”, which is Latin for “God’s Mercy and Yours” for his episcopal motto.
“I will strive to embody the love and mercy I have received. I will cooperate with this grace allowing it to strengthen not just for myself but all within the diocese especially those most in need,” he said.
Sipalay will take canonical possession of the Diocese of Alaminos on Tuesday, March 18, during the installation ceremony that will be held at St. Joseph Cathedral.
