The 17th Boholano bishop was installed as the new bishop of the Diocese of Tagbilaran last Friday to succeed retired Bishop Leonardo Medroso.

Bishop Alberto S. Uy, a native of Ubay town, was installed as the 7th bishop of the 75-year old diocese by Archbishop Bernardito  Auza, Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations, with a throng of the faithful, bishops, priests, religious, and lay at the St. Joseph Cathedral last Friday.

The 50-year old Uy was ordained bishop by Luisa Antonio Cardinal Tagle at the Most Blessed Trinity Cathedral in Talibon town, the day prior his installation. Joining Tagle in the ordination rites were Cebu Archbishop Palma and Diocese of Talibon Bishop Patrick Daniel Parcon

In attendance were 29 bishops led by Bishop Soc Villegas, president of the Bishop’s Conference of the Phils. (CBCP). The eight Boholano bishops who graced the ordination were Archbishop Auza, Bishop Antonieto Cabajog, Bishop Arturo Bastes, Bishop Crispin Varquez, Bishop Zacarias Jimenez, Bishop Romulo Valles, Bishop Elinito Galido, and Bishop-elect Soc Misiona who will be installed as Palawan bishop next month.

In his homily, Cardinal Tagle called on the new bishop to remain a “listening shepherd” to his flock while strongly supporting Uy’s call of “doing everything for the sake of the Gospel.” Tagle likewise appealed to avoid factionalism while calling the entire clergy to support the programs of the young bishop. 

Bishop Uy while serving as episcopal vicar of the Diocese of Talibon was already known for his advocacy for the poor with his hundreds of volunteers supporting a housing program for the less fortunate. He was also known for his advocacy against vote buying during electoral process and his call against corruption in governance.

After his ordination, the new bishop was tendered with a testimonial lunch at the Talibon gymnasium. The following day, a motorcade with parishioners of the Diocese of Talibon sent him off to Tagbilaran City passing by Jagna parish where he was previously assigned. Along the road, parishioners lined up to wave to the new Boholano bishop.

During his installation rites at the St. Joseph Cathedral last Friday, Bishop Cabajog who delivered the homily could not help but stress the simplicity and humility of Bishop Uy which brought him closer to the masses. He cited the charisma of Bishop Uy to his parishioners which has become a tool for an effective role as a shepherd. 

In his response, Bishop Uy appealed for support from the clergy as he vowed to continue his mission in the Lord’s vineyard. He will spend his first months “listening” to his flock so he can discern on the things and programs he has to do in the diocese.

He was tendered with another testimonial luncheon at the HNU gym. Delivering their messages of felicitation were Msgr. Jeffrey Malanog, vicar general of the Diocese of Tagbilaran, Gov. Edgar Chatto and City Mayor Baba Yap.

Bishop Uy served as priest for more than 23 years. He was ordained priest in the same church where he was ordained as bishop last Thursday, He was the parish priest sa St. Michael the Archangel Parish in Jagna, Bohol and Episcopal Vicar for the clergy of the Diocese of Talibon until his appointment as bishop.

Msgr. Uy took up his philosophical studies at Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary in Tagbilaran City and theology at St. John Mary Vianney Theological Seminary in Cagayan de Oro City, where he finished his Bachelor in Sacred Theology degree and Masters in pastoral Ministry, CBCP website showed.

His other studies he completed are licentiate in Sacred Theology’ at Loyola School of Theology in Quezon City; doctorate in Sacred Theology in Pontifical Gregorian University, Rome, Italy in 2006.

He is the 7th bishop to serve the Diocese of Tagbilaran. 

The first six bishops who served the diocese were Most Rev. Julio Rosales in 1946-1949; Bishop Manuel Mascarinas — 1951-1976; Bishop Onesimo Gordoncillo — 1976-1986; Bishop Felix Zafra — 1986-1992; Bishop Leopoldo Tumulak — 1992-2006 and Bishop Leonardo Medroso — 2006-2016.