In a circular, the bishop named Virgilio Ignacio of the Immaculate Concepcion Church in Alion, Mariveles and Freddie Yumang of the Saint Francis of Assisi in Limay as Papal Knights of Saint Sylvester.
The Papal Knight of Saint Sylvester is an Order of the Knighthood under the Pontifical Order of Pope Saint Sylvester given by the reigning Pope to honor the laity who renders service to the Church as exemplified in the exercise of their professional duties.
The Pro Ecclesiae et Pro Pontifice awardees are Salud Bagalso, Rosa Aurora David, Roseanna Wenona Dizon, and Victoria Garcia, all of the Cathedral- Shrine of Saint Joseph in Balanga City; Estelita Ignacio of the Immaculate Concepcion in Alion, Estrella Paguio of Sto Cristo in Cupang, Balanga; Zosima Pizarro of Our Lady of the Pillar in Pilar; Ana Santiago and Lydia Soriano; both of Santo Domingo Church in Abucay; and Gerarda Villa of Saint Catherine of Alexandria in Bagac.
This award is given for distinguished service to the Church and is the highest medal that can be awarded to the laity by the Pope. The women will receive the Cross of Honor.
“Through the years we have witnessed your fidelity to the teachings of our Lord Jesus, your dedication to our Catholic Faith and selfless fruitful contributions to the local Church of Bataan. You are our strength and our support.
You are our inspiration and exemplary collaborators. Bataan is blessed because of you,” the Bataan bishop told the awardees.
The Bataan prelate said that with the conferment of the papal awards Pro Ecclesiae et Pro Pontifice and Knights of Saint Sylvester, “all sons and daughters of the Church will be challenged and encouraged to give their best.”
“The best with regards to time, talents and treasures for God’s glory and for the good of the Philippine Church, in particular to their respective local diocese and parishes,” Santos said.
He said the Church as a Mother is always appreciative of the selfless services and sacrifices of her sons and daughters and always remembers with gratitude their collaboration and cooperation for the fulfillment of her mission.
The bishop acknowledged how Bataenos held on to their faith despite hardships they have encountered.
“Amidst destruction and death during World War II, you proved yourselves as true heroes. Amidst calamities of Mount Pinatubo eruption, violent typhoons and cruel monsoon rains, your faith to God did not waiver. And you keep the faith and share it with one another through your acts of mercy and charitable deeds,” Santos said.
The Diocese of Balanga was created on March 17, 1975 and canonically erected on November 7 of the same year with the theme “always faithful, ever-faithful.”
Under the diocese are Catholic parishes in 11 towns and one city in Bataan.
