There was a moment in my life when I asked myself if you have regrets when you ordained me as a priest. Well, I believe that it is God who really chooses imperfect men like me for service to his Church as a priest. My former seminary rector in college even told our class that if God wanted me to become a priest, no amount of my violations of the seminary rule can ever reverse the plan of God for me. I believe there is truth in it when Bishop Manolo ordained me as a priest on August 22, 2000. I just wonder now if he had any regrets in his decision because I am one of the reasons why his hair turned gray, and I know that I caused him some sleepless nights because of all the sad things that I have done in my priestly ministry.
I am just so lucky to have Bishop Manolo as my bishop. I can say that I almost drained his patience towards me, and I know that he almost gave up on me, noting the fact that I made a promise to him to behave like I must behave but up until now, that promise remains to be a promise and not yet a reality. You read it right, not YET… because I am still working hard for its realization. God is good, and so I know that he will help and guide me to achieve that promise to be a good, humble, and holy priest. I tried my best already, so please do the rest, O Lord.
A day before Bishop Manolo celebrated his 50th Sacerdotal Anniversary last May 8, 2024, a priest from the Archdiocese of Caceres asked me what three qualities of Bishop Manolo I can consider to be exceptional characters of a bishop. The first answer that I gave was that Bishop Manolo is so kind and understanding. Second, that he is so forgiving, and he never condemns a priest, not even me, who got into trouble or caused a scandal to the community. Third, he is incredibly supportive to his priests and always willing to help them in every way, on condition that the priest will let the bishop know about his situation in life. These are the three characters of Bishop Manolo that I will be forever thankful for in my ministry. If he did not possess these characters, I may no longer be a priest up to this time.
My heart is overflowing with gratitude for all the support and guidance that Bishop Manolo extended to me. He never gave up on me even during those moments in my life when I know that I was his greatest disappointment. Thank you, Bishop Manolo, for all the chances you gave me just for me to be able to have my priestly life back.
Now, before you finally leave us for your well-deserved retirement, please accept my sincere apologies for all the negative things that I have done as a priest. I am just an ordinary man who is prone to commit mistakes and be tempted by all the enticements of Satan in this material world. I am saying I am sorry so you will forgive me for all my misdeeds and abuses as a priest. I am saying sorry because I realized that it was all my fault and that I am struggling hard to change myself to be pleasing in the sight of God. I hope that someday you will assure me that you did not have any regrets when you ordained me as a priest. It is my fervent wish that, even in your retirement, you will always be proud that you ordained me as a priest for the Diocese of Virac.
Oremus pro invicem, Bishop Manolo. I need your prayers so that I can go on with my ministry in serving the people entrusted to my care with the holiness of my life. I will always be inspired by your example of kindness and humility, knowing well that I have an anger issue to get rid of. With your prayers and God’s grace, I am looking forward to making these goals a reality in my life.
Once again, Thank you and I am so sorry, Bishop Manolo.