By
Edwin Fernandez
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APPOINTED. Archbishop Angelito Lampon,
OMI, (left) newly installed Archbishop of Cotabato walks with Papal Nuncio to
the Philippines Archbishop Gabriele Giordano Caccia. Lampon is the 4th
archbishop of Cotabato. (Photo courtesy of Emma Bondoc of Pikit, North Cotabato
Parish)
|
COTABATO
CITY – The former prelate of Jolo, who assumed as new head of the Archdiocese
of Cotabato, said on Wednesday that he was leaving his flock with a heavy heart
following the twin blasts that ripped through the Jolo cathedral that killed 22
people and injured 97 others.
While
his installation and canonical possession to the archdiocese calls for a
celebration, Archbishop Angelito Lampon of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate
(OMI), said he has mixed feelings.
He
told reporters he was battling a turmoil after the Jolo cathedral was
desecrated by the twin bombings and littered with human blood.
“My
heart is bleeding for my people. They are my family. We have been together the
past 21 years,” Lampon said.
In
a tightly-guarded ceremony Wednesday afternoon, Lampon was installed by
Archbishop Gabriele Giordano Caccia, Papal Nuncio to the Philippines, as
archbishop of Cotabato.
He
replaces Orlando Cardinal Quevedo, OMI, who has retired as head of the Cotabato
archdiocese.
While
he appreciated the efforts and presence of those in attendance, Lampon
specifically mentioned and recognized those coming from Jolo and Tawi-Tawi, who
traveled three days to reach Cotabato City, including the Jolo cathedral
bombing survivors.
About
30 bishops and archbishops joined the celebration at the Immaculate Concepcion
Cathedral here aside from about 50 priests and other religious leaders.
The
Army and police imposed strict security during the event, blocking portions of
the roads leading to the cathedral and deploying armored personnel carriers
along major city streets. (PNA)
