BALANGA City, Bataan: The Catholic Diocese of Antipolo in the Province of Rizal has a new prelate with the installation Saturday, July 22, of former Bataan Bishop Ruperto C. Santos.
Santos, Bishop of the Diocese of Balanga for 13 years, was appointed by Pope Francis as 5th Bishop of Antipolo after the Holy Father accepted the retirement of Bishop Francisco de Leon who turned 75 years old.
With the transfer of Santos, the Pope appointed Archbishop Florentino Lavaria of San Fernando, Pampanga as Apostolic administrator of the Diocese of Balanga effective July 22.
The Holy See directed that the name of the administrator be mentioned in all Masses at the Eucharistic Prayer.
Santos was officially installed as Rizal bishop during the rites of Liturgical Reception, Eucharistic Celebration and Canonical Installation held at the International Shrine of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage or commonly known as Antipolo Cathedral.
The diocese of Balanga covers 11 towns and one city in Bataan while the diocese of Antipolo has 14 towns, two cities and an island.
Papal Nuncio Charles John Brown, members of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines, priests from Bataan and Rizal, the religious and local officials from Rizal attended the installation rites. (30)
