Bishop, Filipino priests attend ‘first-ever’ national assembly
Posted on by AdminSeven of the eight Filipino priests serving in the Diocese of Tucson attended the first-ever National Assembly of Filipino Priests, USA, last month in Los Angeles and heard Bishop Gerald F. Kicanas speak of the strong bond that has been established with priests from the Philippines.
“Historic” was the word used by Filipino priests to describe the assembly, which included an opening Mass followed by a day of workshops on spiritual growth and pastoral enrichment, a Mass at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels, a priests’ concert and the election of a new leadership council.
The assembly at the Westin Los Angeles Airport Hotel was attended by 370 priests, who participated in an emotional opening Mass. Concelebrants included Sacramento Bishop Jaime Soto, Santa Rosa Bishop Emeritus Daniel Walsh, San Francisco Auxiliary Bishop Robert McElroy, L.A. Auxiliary Bishops Edward Clark and Thomas Curry, and Bishop of Alaminos (Philippines) Marlo Peralta.
Bishop Kicanas traced the history of the ties between the Diocese of Tucson and the Philippines, noting that Bishop Daniel J. Gercke, who served as Tucson’s bishop from 1923 to 1960, was assigned as a priest in 1903 as secretary to the Bishop there and spent six years in the islands.
The assembly’s aims are to promote unity, support, and growth among Filipino priests ministering with their cultural gifts and to serve as a forum for collaboration and effective pastoral leadership development.
There are some 900 Filipino Catholic priests serving in various capacities in the United States. Those attending from the Diocese of Tucson were Father Ricky Ordoñez, Father Seraphim Molina, Father Miguel Mariano, Father Jojo Tabo, Father Joe Marie Corvera, Father Lawrence Lugo and Father Arnold Aurillo. Father Ariel Lustan was not able to attend because of a prior commitment.
The event was held in conjunction with the 10th anniversary of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ pastoral statement, “Asian and Pacific Presence: Harmony in Faith.”