He was elected by the 12-man board of consulters of the Diocesan Clergy of Kidapawan (DCK), which is composed mostly of senior diocesan priests.
Angeles would remain as the parish priest of the Our Lady Mediatrix of All Grace cathedral here.
Angeles confirmed his new assignment during the thanksgiving Mass attended by some 700 parishioners held at the cathedral on Wednesday.
As head of the diocese, he would be responsible for the operations of the parishes and monitoring and implementation of church programs and projects entrusted to him by his predecessor.
As diocesan administrator, Angeles is also privileged to act and perform the works of the bishop even though it is vacant at present. He cannot, however, perform the ordination of new priests.
Angeles thanked parishioners that supported and prayed for the successful election of the new diocesan administration that would safeguard the flock of the Kidapawan diocese.
In his homily, he asked parishioners “to pray for me in order that I could function well and be guided by the Holy Spirit as I lead the diocese.”
The priest assured parishioners that he will continue supporting the projects and programs started by Archbishop Valles.
Angeles also vowed to strengthen unity among diocesan priests and the parishioners and to ensure the smooth relationship, especially in the Basic Ecclesiastic Communities.
Pope Benedict XVI declared the Diocese of Kidapawan as “Sede vacante” (vacancy of the head of a church) after Valles took over as Archbishop of Zamboanga to replace Archbishop Carmelo Morelos, who resigned after reaching the mandatory retirement age of 75.
Valles’s successor at the Kidapawan diocese has yet to be named and appointed by the Pope. (Williamor A. Magbanua / MindaNews)
