Daily Star logoNegros Oriental
Dumaguete City, PhilippinesWednesday, May 9, 2012
Front Page
Negros Oriental
Star Business
Opinion
Sports
Police Beat
Star Life
People & Events
Eguide
Events
Schedules
Obituaries
Congratulations
Classified Ads
Du says no vacuum in
Diocese of Dumaguete
BY JUANCHO GALLARDE & MARICAR ARANAS

The Diocese of Dumaguete will be run by an administrator and 11 consulters until the appointment of a new bishop by the Holy Father.

Archbishop John Du, who bade farewell to the Diocese Sunday to assume his post in Palo, Leyte, today, said there will be no vacuum in the Roman Catholic Church in Dumaguete, with the presence of the consulters.

As in the case of local chief executives, all co-terminous positions will be held vacant, including that of the vicar general and chancellor, while a status quo is observed among the rectors and priests.

The consulters also cannot effect changes in the organizational structure or transfer a person. They are chosen from the heads of seven vicariates, from the rectors of the seminary, and presidents of the clergy.

Du said he hopes that a new bishop will be assigned to Dumaguete within six months. In the short list is Bishop Julito Cortez of the Sto. Rosario Parish in Cebu City, although the Pope has the freedom to choose from a list of three qualified nominees.

In the six-month period, a secret questionnaire will be sent by the Papal Nuncio to the priests and nuns in Dumaguete to inquire about the qualities and capabilities of would-be bishops to fill up the vacant position. A list of three, who will qualify for the position, will then be forwarded to the Pope who will make the final judgment.

Meanwhile, the Diocese of Dumaguete has allocated P10 million for the health insurance of all members of the clergy.

The insurance is important because majority of the priests do not have savings that they can use in case of health problems, Du said.

He expressed optimism that the insurance and the standard living allowance for clergy will be implemented by his successor.

SLAC aims to provide seed money for parish priests, especially those assigned to poor communities. Under the program, all priests will receive P10,000 every month. The Diocese will subsidize the first few months of the SLAC implementation and the parishes will contribute a certain percentage of their income, that will become the seed money for the program.*JG/MA

back to top

Negros Oriental
ButtonMayor opposes renewal of silica mining permit
ButtonDu says no vacuum in Diocese of Dumaguete
Button
2 deacons ordained
Button
New SB of Ayungon takes oath