CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (MindaNews / 8 June) – The diocese of Tandag in Surigao del Sur has a new bishop.
Bishop Raul Bautista Dael bows before the altar during his ordination. MindaNews photo by FROILAN GALLARDO
Bishop Raul Bautista Dael was successfully ordained in a ceremony that took five hours at the St. Augustine Metropolitan Cathedral here Thursday.
Dael, who hails from Jasaan, Misamis Oriental, replaced the 77-year-old Bishop Nereo Odchimar, who recently retired.
A BS Philosophy graduate of Xavier University, Dael’s ministry will be tested in Surigao del Sur, home of the largest concentration of communists rebels, and by the incoming peace talks.
“At the moment, I would not yet go into heavy stuff.
I simply would like to listen and observe,” Dael said in an interview with Lamdag, a religious website of the St. Paul’s Church here.
Dael’s installation as bishop of Tandag was also threatened by the arrest of two alleged terrorists of the Daesh-inspired Maute gunmen at a checkpoint in Barangay Tablon in this city.
More than 5,000 priests, nuns and lay members attended the ordination.
Among the guests was Fr. Teresito “Chito” Soganub, who survived a five-month ordeal as hostage of the Maute gunmen when they took over Marawi City last Year.
Bishop Dael (center) with Archbishops Antonio Ledesma of Cagayan de Oro (right) and Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Tagle (left). MindaNews photo by FROILAN GALLARDO
Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Tagle and Cagayan de Oro Archbishop Antonio Ledesma, assisted by Bishop Odchimar, led the ordination rites.
Thanksgiving Masses were heard throughout the province of Misamis Oriental. (Froilan Gallardo / MindaNews)
