“May Bukas Pa”

(by Msgr. Oscar V. Cruz, DD, Archbishop of Lingayen-Dagupan. Taken from his blog, Viewpoints)

A rescue worker carries the body of a child that drowned in flooding brought by tropical storm Ketsana in Marikina city, east of the Philippine capital Manila, on September 27, 2009. (JAY DIRECTO/AFP/Getty Images)

”Huwag damdamin and kasawian.
May Bukas pa sa inyong buhay.
Sisikat din ang inyong araw.
And landas mo ay mag-iilaw.”

As people condole with those who lost their dear ones and sympathize as well with them in losing too their already little assets, the above song is not only significant but also very relevant. They suffered much and continue to suffer more on account of the recent devastating typhoon. They shed many tears. They harbor much sorrow. They feel great lost. But, may bukas pa.

“Sa daigdig ang buhay ay ganyan.
Mayroong ligaya at lumbay.
Maghintay at may darating na bukas.”

The well known and much heard song thus speaks of the following fundamental truths: There is the world reality that is a mixture of joyful and sorrowful events. There is human life that has its happy times and saddening days. There is man who is assured of a promising tomorrow after a lamentable today. So, may bukas pa.

“May bukas pa sa inyong buhay.
Tutulungan ka ng Diyos na may lalang.
Ang inyong pagdaramdam, idalangin mo sa Maykapal.
Nasa puso mo ay mawala ng lubusan.”

Thus it is that there is God Who is for man. This is why prayer is man’s strength and God’s weakness. God is not only all-knowing but also all-able. It is so easy for Him to reverse human misfortune. It is so natural of Him to cleanse the human heart from suffering and pain. Hence, may bukas pa.

Oratio Imperata (Mandated Prayer)

(Prayer by Most Rev. Oscar V. Cruz, DD, Archbishop of Lingayen-Dagupan)

OH, GOD OUR FATHER:

IN FAITH WE ACKNOWLEDGE YOUR PATERNAL CARE OVER US, YOUR SONS, DAUGHTERS AND CHILDREN. IN HOPE WE TRUST IN YOUR DIVINE PROVIDENCE OF GIVING US WISDOM AND COURAGE AS WE FACE THE CHALLENGES OF LIFE. IN LOVE WE INVOKE YOUR HELP AND GUIDANCE DURING THESE DIFFICULT DAYS OF DEATH AND DESTRUCTION IN OUR DEAR COUNTRY.

OURS IS A PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING FOR ONCE AGAIN REMINDING US THAT OURS IS AN IMPERFECT WORLD, THAT HEAVEN IS NOT ON EARTH AND THAT NATURE EVERY NOW AND THEN TELLS US NOT TO ABUSE HER. OURS TOO IS A PRAYER OF REPENTANCE FOR CALLING UPON YOU WHEN WE ARE IN NEED AND DESPERATION BUT FORGETTING YOU IN FAVORABLE TIMES AND PLEASING OCCASIONS. OURS AS WELL IS A PRAYER OF PETITION AS WE SAY:

GRANT ETERNAL PEACE TO THOSE WHO LOST THEIR LIVES. EMBRACE THE CHILDREN WHO DIED IN THEIR INNOCENCE. HELP THOSE WHO ARE HURT AND CURE THOSE WHO ARE SICK.

ENCOURAGE THOSE WHO SUFFER THE DESTRUCTION OF THEIR HOMES AND PROPERTIES, AND TO ONCE AGAIN STAND UP AND REBUILD THEIR FUTURE.

BLESS ALL THOSE WHO EXTEND THEIR HELPING HANDS TO THOSE IN NEED OF FOOD, SHELTER AND CLOTHING, WHO SHARE THEIR TIME, TALENTS AND RESOURCES WITH OTHERS.

INSPIRE MORE PEOPLE TO BE MEN AND WOMEN FOR THEIR NEIGHBORS, CONVINCED THAT THE MORE THEY ARE FOR OTHERS, THE TALLER THEY STAND BEFORE YOU.

SPARE US PLEASE FROM OTHER NATURAL DISASTERS AND DEVASTATIONS IF THIS BE ACCORDING TO YOUR WILL AND FOR OUR OWN SPIRITUAL GOOD AND GROWTH.

AMEN AND AMEN.

A Primer on the resignation of Archbishop Oscar V. Cruz and the appointment of Archbishop Socrates B. Villegas as Archbishop of Lingayen-Dagupan

On September 8, 2009, the Holy See announced that the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI has accepted the resignation of Archbishop Oscar V. Cruz, from the pastoral government of the Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan in conformity with the norm of Canon Law. At the same time the Holy Father has appointed Archbishop Socrates B. Villegas, until then Bishop of the Diocese of Balanga (Bataan) to succeed Archbishop Cruz.

1. Why the change in leadership?

The above change in leadership is explained by a provision of the Second Vatican Council which earnestly requests diocesan bishops to resign from their office, if on account of advanced age or form any grace cause they become less able to carry out their duties (1). In implementing this provision of the Council, the code of Canon Law asks diocesan bishops to tender their resignation upon completing their seventy fifth year (2).

2. Who appoints and accepts the resignation of bishops?

As a matter of principle, Canon Law prescribes that for a resignation to take effect, it must be accepted by the authority which is competent to provide for the office in question. (3) Hence, the resignation of a resigning bishop, in this case, Archbishop Cruz, was accepted by the Supreme Pontiff who has the authority to appoint bishops. (4)

3. What becomes of the bishop who resigned?

A bishop whose resignation from office has been accepted acquire the title "emeritus" of his diocese. (5) If he so wishes he may have residence in the diocese. (6) Furthermore, the diocese which he served has the obligation to provide for the upkeep of a bishop who has resigned. (7)

4. When does the new bishop assume his new office?

One who is promoted a bishop, in this case the succeeding bishop, Archbishop Villegas, cannot yet exercise the office entrusted to him until he has taken canonical possession of the diocese. (8) "Canonical possession," popularly called "installation", denotes the formal act by which the bishop assumes full governance of the diocese. A bishop who is already consecrated must take possession within two (2) months after receiving the notice of his appointment.

5. How does the new bishop take canonical possession of his diocese?

A bishop takes canonical possession of his diocese when he shows the apostolic letter of his appointment to the diocesan Board of Consultors, in the presence of the chancellor of the curia who makes a record of the fact. The canonical possessionmust take place in the diocese. (10) and the law strongly recommends that it be performed with a liturgical act in the cathedral church, in the presence of the clergy and the people. (11)

Footnotes:

1. Second Vatican Ecumenical Council, Decree on the Pastoral Ministry of Bishops, Christus Dominus, n. 21:

As  the pastoral office of bishops is so important and onerous,  diocesan bishops and others whose juridical position corresponds to theirs are earnestly requested to resign from their office if on  account  of advanced age or from any other grave cause they become less able to carry out their duties.  This they should do on their own initiative  or  when  invited to do so by the competent authority.  If the competent authority accepts the resignation it will make provision for the suitable support of those who have retired and for the special rights to be accorded to them.

2. CIC, Can. 401, 1:

A diocesan Bishop who has completed his seventy-fifth year of age is requested to offer his resignation from office to the Supreme Pontiff, who, taking all the circumstances into account, will make provision accordingly.

 4. CIC, Can. 377, 1::

The Supreme Pontiff freely appoints Bishops or confirms those lawfully elected. 

5 and 6 .CIC, Can. 402, 1:

A Bishop whose resignation from office has been accepted, acquires the title 'emeritus' of his diocese. If he so wishes, he may have a residence in the diocese unless, because of special circumstances in certain cases, the Apostolic See provides otherwise.

 7. CIC, Can. 402, 2:

The Episcopal Conference must ensure that suitable and worthy provision is made for the upkeep of a Bishop who has resigned, bearing in mind the primary obligation which falls on the diocese which he served.

 8. CIC, Can. 382, 2:

A person who is promoted to the episcopate cannot become involved in the exercise of the office entrusted to him before he has taken canonical possession of the diocese. However, he is able to exercise offices which he already held in the same diocese at the time of his promotion, without prejudice to can. 409 §2

9.  CIC, 382, 2:

Unless he is lawfully impeded, one who is not already consecrated a Bishop and is now promoted to the office of diocesan Bishop, must take canonical possession of his diocese within four months of receiving the apostolic letters. If he is already consecrated, he must take possession within two months of receiving the apostolic letters.

10. CIC, Can. 382,3:

A Bishop takes canonical possession of his diocese when, personally or by proxy, he shows the apostolic letters to the college of consultors, in the presence of the chancellor of the curia, who makes a record of the fact. This must take place within the diocese. In dioceses which are newly established he takes possession when he communicates the same letters to the clergy and the people in the cathedral church, with the senior of the priests present making a record of the fact.

11. CIC, Can. 382,4:

It is strongly recommended that the taking of canonical possession be performed with a liturgical act in the cathedral church, in the presence of the clergy and the people 

Archbishop Oscar V. Cruz, DD retires

8 September 2009. The resignation of Archbishop Oscar V. Cruz, DD as archbishop of Lingayen-Dagupan was simultaneously announced in Vatican (12 noon) and in  Manila (6 PM). In the same announcement, Msgr. Socrates B. Villegas, Bishop of Balanga (Bataan) was named as his successor.  Msgr. Cruz has been the archbishop of Lingayen-Dagupan since 1991 when he was appointed as its prelate in 15 July 1991. He was installed on 24 August 1991.

Archbishop Oscar V. Cruz, DD succeeded Msgr. Federico G. Limon upon the retirement of the latter. He has served the Archdiocese for almost two decades with integrity, pastoral charity and commitment to social justice.

According to the CBCPNews online, Archbishop Cruz said “the first thought that came to my mind upon knowing of the change of my ecclesiastical status is to thank the Most Blessed Virgin Mary.”

“The reason is it’s her birthday anniversary today,” he said.

In the same report, he was quoted to have said that "he is most grateful to the clergy, the religious and the laity in the Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan, “for being very patient with me and understanding.”

He said the clergy, religious and laity “were able to bear with me for about two decades and that is to their credit.”

New Year Message of Archbishop Oscar V. Cruz, DD

To read the New Year's Message of Msgr. Oscar V. Cruz, DD, the Archbishop of Lingayen-Dagupan, kindly click this link.

To read the Pangasinan translation of the same message, kindly click this link. And to see the current homiletic service for this cycle B, you can visit the Liturgy Section of this site.