Uy receives warm Cebuano welcome

Local

CEBU erupted in cheers and celebration as Catholic faithful welcomed Archbishop-designate Alberto “Abet” Uy, who arrived from Bohol to assume leadership of the country’s largest archdiocese.

Earlier on Sunday, Sept. 28, hundreds of Boholanos had packed the St. Joseph the Worker Cathedral-Shrine in Tagbilaran for Uy’s final Mass as Bishop of Tagbilaran, a post he had held since 2016.

During his homily, he reminded the faithful that indifference can be as grave as cruelty.

“When we close our hearts to the poor, we are also closing our hearts to God,” he said.

He urged Catholics to embrace generosity, noting that those with more than what they need should build longer tables, not higher fences, and open their hearts wider for others.

After the Mass, parishioners and local leaders escorted Uy to the Tagbilaran port.

He departed around noon aboard Oceanjet 8 and sailed to Cebu, where thousands had already gathered for his arrival.

Uy’s vessel docked at Pier 1 in Cebu City shortly before 4 p.m., where outgoing Archbishop Jose Palma, civic leaders including the mayors of Cebu, Mandaue, and

Lapu-Lapu, and parish representatives welcomed him. Church officials presented symbolic gifts, including an image of the Señor Santo Niño and Cebu’s iconic guitar, while the Sandiego Dance Troupe performed a Sinulog dance.

From the pier, a motorcade carried Uy through streets lined with parishioners, students, and families waving yellow and white flags and holding placards.

Chants of “Welcome to Cebu, Archbishop” and “We love you, Archbishop” echoed as Uy waved back, later telling reporters he felt “overwhelmed” by the warm reception.

The motorcade ended at the Cebu Archdiocesan Shrine of Saint Pedro Calungsod, where Uy fulfilled canonical requirements by making his Solemn Profession of Faith and taking the Oath of Fidelity.

He then joined the Vespers and witnessed the unveiling of his coat of arms.

Palma, who turned 75 in March, stepped down after more than a decade leading the Archdiocese.

Pope Leo XIV appointed Uy as his successor on July 16, naming him the fifth Metropolitan Archbishop of Cebu.

A native of Ubay, Bohol, Uy served nine years as Bishop of Tagbilaran.

He became known for his firm stance against corruption, advocacy for government accountability, and environmental initiatives such as “One Believer, One Tree” and the “Hipos Tarp Operation,” a post-election cleanup drive organized by parishes and local governments.

On Monday, Sept. 29, Cebu hosted pre-installation activities for Archbishop Uy, including a holy Mass, a civic reception, a tree-planting drive, a feeding program, and public veneration.

That day, Uy also had lunch at Cebu City Hall with Mayor Nestor Archival. During the reception, he told officials and guests that he is with them in combatting anomalies.

“No to ghost projects, yes to Godly projects. What are those godly projects? Projects that uplift the poor. Projects that protect the environment. Projects that bring genuine progress and lasting peace,” he said.

Uy will be formally installed as Metropolitan Archbishop of Cebu at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, September 30, at the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral.

Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Charles John Brown will serve as the installing prelate, while Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples in Rome, will deliver the homily.

The installation is expected to draw 820 priests, 52 bishops and archbishops, and three Filipino cardinals, highlighting Cebu’s status as the cradle of Christianity in the Philippines and home to more than 4.7 million Catholics across 170 parishes.(MyTVCebu)