by Russell Fleur F. Gallego
Photos from the Diocese of Imus Research and Communication Ministry
The Diocese of Imus celebrated its 60th canonical possession with a Thanksgiving Mass held at the Parish of the Divine Mercy in Biluso Silang Cavite on April 26, 2022.
The celebration, presided by Bishop Reynaldo G. Evangelista, was divided into three parts: the installation of the Council of the Laity in the Diocese, the announcement of the two new vicariates and the synthesis of the pre-synod consultations.
CARDINAL TAGLE, SON OF IMUS
Bishop Rey Evangelista mentioned past bishops of the diocese and especially mentioned Cardinal Luis Antonio G. Tagle, the 4th Bishop of the Diocese of Imus, as a son of the diocese. He is currently the Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, and part of the Roman Curia.
DIOCESE OF IMUS COUNCIL OF THE LAITY
Fr. Omer Dendiego, head of the Cluster of Religious Organizations and Movements of the diocese, gave an overview of the Council of the Laity. Fr. Dendiego shared that Bishop Evangelista had been continuously urging them to organize the Council of the Laity, suggesting that lay coordinators of different ministries and religious organizations form the council be gathered. Hence, a Council of the Laity was formed.
TWO NEW VICARIATES
On the 60th Anniversary of the Canonical Possession of the Diocese, 2 new vicariates were added to the previous 11 vicariates.
The existing 11 vicariates of the diocese are:
1. Vicariate of St. Michael the Archangel
2. Vicariate of Sto. Niñ0
3. Vicariate of Our Lady of the Pillar
4. Vicariate of St. Mary Magdalene
5. Vicariate of the Holy Cross 6. Vicariate of Our Lady of Assumption
7. Vicariate of St. Francis of Assisi
8. Vicariate of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception
9. Vicariate of Our Mother of Perpetual Help
10. Vicariate of Our Lady of Candelaria
11. Vicariate of the Seven Archangels
The two additional vicariates are:
(1) Vicariate of St. Joseph (Carmona – GMA); and
(2) Vicariate of St. Raphael (Tagaytay).
Two episcopal vicars were appointed: Fr. Ariel Delos Reyes for Vicariate of St. Joseph and Fr. Lino De Castro for the Vicariate of St. Raphael.
Since the parish of Fr. Lino is now transferred to the Vicariate of St. Raphael, the new episcopal vicar of the Vicariate of the Seven Archangels is Fr. Henry Tagalog.
Also announced during the Mass was the change of the name of the Vicariate of the Holy Cross to Vicariate of St. Augustine.
SYNTHESIS OF THE PRE-SYNOD CONSULTATIONS
For the presentation of the synthesis of the pre-synod consultations, Fr. James Andes, current Vice Chancellor of the Diocese, gave an introduction about the synod and introduced the secretariat team. A video presentation on the pre-synod consultations was aired with Fr. Randy De Jesus and Fr. Michael Ceazar Dela Cruz, both formators of the seminary of Our Lady of the Pillar.
Bishop Rey also encouraged the laity present to not be afraid of whatever obstacles they might face in the call for service; and to always believe that God is our refuge and that He is with us even though we commit sins.