Papal Nuncio to the Philippines Archbishop Charles John Brown installed Bishop Louie Galbines as the seventh bishop of the Diocese of Bacolod at the San Sebastian Cathedral in Bacolod City on Tuesday morning, August 11.
Galbines, former bishop of the Diocese of Kabankalan, succeeds Bishop Patricio Buzon, who retired as head of the Bacolod diocese.
“May our smiles turn into laughter as we journey and work together as friends, as brothers’ and sisters’ keepers, and above all as a family of God,” Galbines told more than 1,500 faithful gathered inside the cathedral and another 1,000 watching from outside.
The installation mass was concelebrated by 40 bishops and 350 priests.
Galbines episcopal motto is confide, which eh said literally in means “I trust” in the Lord and the people of God.
The new Bacolod prelate expressed his gratitude to the people of the Diocese of Kabankalan for allowing him to witness the Lord in their hearts during his tenure there, while thanking the Bacolod faithful for their warm and elegant welcome.
He noted that August 11 also marks the birthdays of the late Bacolod Bishop Antonio Y. Fortich, Columban missionary Fr. Nial O’Brien, and Msgr. Victorino Rivas, “whose inspirations are carved deeply in our hearts.”
Galbines also thanked Buzon for paving the way for him in both Bacolod and Kabankalan, having served as bishop for both dioceses prior to him. “I always harvest what you have planted in Kabankalan and Bacolod… You are the planter and I am the harvester,” he said.
In an interview following the ceremony, Galbines said he was on “cloud nine” over the overwhelming support from the Diocese of Bacolod. He reaffirmed his commitment to continuing the programs started by Buzon, emphasizing that his primary mission is to help people stay rooted in Christ.
Regarding potential organizational adjustments, Galbines noted that any clergy reshuffling would take time. “It will take time for me to see the real situation in the Diocese. I will observe first, and reshuffling will come later,” he explained.
The Papal Nuncio, on behalf of Pope Leo XIV, expressed deep gratitude to Buzon for serving the Diocese of Bacolod “so faithfully and wonderfully for 10 years,” describing him as a shepherd with deep spirituality whose eyes remained focused on Jesus.
“Today, we witness the passing on of the flame of faith here in the Diocese of Bacolod from the 6th to the 7th bishop without interruption,” Archbishop Brown said, adding that families should similarly work to pass on the flame of faith from one generation to the next. “We should consciously evangelize our young people so the flame of faith stays alive in their hearts”, he said
Cardinal Jose Fuerte Advincula, Metropolitan Archbishop of Manila, delivered the homily during the installation Mass.
“Jesus trusts in you because He knows His grace can work through you,” Cardinal Advincula assured Galbines, before turning to the congregation: “Jesus has entrusted Bishop Loui to you… May you support him with your prayers and ministry.”*
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