CBCP reelects Archbishop Villegas as president

Paterno R. Esmaquel II

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CBCP reelects Archbishop Villegas as president
A protége of the late Jaime Cardinal Sin, Archbishop Socrates Villegas has hit the government but has adopted a conciliatory tone, too, on issues such as the Reproductive Health law

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) on Sunday, July 12, announced it has reelected Lingayen-Dagpuan Archbishop Socrates Villegas as its president. 

In a text message to Rappler, Villegas said: “When I see my weak self and my lack of experience, I am overcome with fear. When I gaze on the face of God rich in mercy, I take courage and regain my hope and courage. I accepted the reelection.” 

His reelection came on Saturday, July 11, during the CBCP’s plenary assembly in Manila over the weekend.

Villegas, 54, is a protége and former personal secretary of the late Manila Archbishop Jaime Cardinal Sin, who helped topple dictator Ferdinand Marcos during the People Power or EDSA Revolution 1986. (READ: New CBCP head in Sin’s footsteps

Villegas – also the former bishop of Balanga, Bataan, and former rector of EDSA Shrine – was first elected CBCP president in July 2013.

During his first term as CBCP president, Villegas criticized the government but adopted a conciliatory tone, too, on various issues, such as the Reproductive Health (RH) law. 

For one, he questioned the Aquino administration for the President’s discretionary funds, called the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP). (READ: CBCP dares Aquino admin: Probe the corrupt within)

Justice should not be “selective,” Villegas said. “A government that professes to tread the straight path must remain true to that profession and must be willing to let go of the corrupt in its own ranks! We in the Church will do the same,” he said in July 2014. 

He also denounced the RH law, which the Supreme Court upheld in April 2014, during his term as CBCP president.

Villegas, however, urged Catholics to stop being an “RH-law-reactionary group.” He said the Church should have a “positive message.” (READ: Move on, bishops urge critics of RH law

‘Look for things that unite’

Referring to RH advocates, Villegas said in January 2014, his first news conference as CBCP president: “We might not see eye to eye, but we can work hand in hand for the good of the country. There will be many more disagreements, but let us not allow our disagreements to disunite us further, because we have enough disunity already. So let us look for the things that unite us. That is the spirit.”

Before he became CBCP president, Villegas once said contraception “corrupts the soul.”

In January 2014, he explained that the Catholic Church’s position on the RH law “has not changed, but the reaching out is added to it.” (READ: On RH law, CBCP head takes cue from Francis)

At the same time, in his archdiocese, he urged priests to live simple lifestyles and stop the so-called “homily abuse.” 

In their plenary assembly, the CBCP on Saturday also reelected other CBCP officers alongside Villegas. 

The bishops voted to retain Davao Archbishop Romulo Valles as their vice president.

The following would likewise remain in their positions: Palo Archbishop John Du as CBCP treasurer, and Father Marvin Mejia as CBCP secretary general.

Catholic bishops also elected the following regional representatives:

  • Luzon – Bishops Rodolfo Beltran of San Fernando, La Union; Ruperto Santos of Balanga; Gilbert Garcera of Daet; Bernardino Cortez of Infanta; and Reynaldo Evangelista of Imus
  • Visayas – Bishops Crispin Varquez of Borongan and Narciso Abellana of Romblon
  • Mindanao – Bishops Jose Cabantan of Malaybalay and Angelito Lampon of Jolo.

They will stay in office from December 1, 2015 to November 30, 2017. – Rappler.com

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Paterno R. Esmaquel II

Paterno R. Esmaquel II, news editor of Rappler, specializes in covering religion and foreign affairs. He finished MA Journalism in Ateneo and MSc Asian Studies (Religions in Plural Societies) at RSIS, Singapore. For story ideas or feedback, email pat.esmaquel@rappler.com