BAGUIO CITY – Newly-installed Bishop Victor B. Bendico of the Diocese of Baguio and Benguet appealed to the people for more prayers for the effective and efficient performance of his duties and responsibilities in spreading the words and deeds of the Almighty Father up to the remotest area under his flock.
Bendico, appointed by Pope Francis to replace retired Bishop Carlito J. Cenzon as the Bishop of Baguio and Benguet, hails from Roxas City, Capiz.
The new Bishop of the Roman Catholic Church in the city expressed his deepest appreciation for the warm welcome accorded to him by Baguio city officials led by Rep. Mark Go, Mayor Mauricio G. Domogan and Vice Mayor Edison R. Bilog, Benguet officials led by Rep. Ronald M. Cosalan, Gov. Crecencio Pacalso and Vice Governor Florence Tingbaoen, clergy and lay people of the Diocese, among other visitors who attended his Eucharistic Ordination and Installation held at the Baguio Cathedral last Tuesday.
“I am willing to learn your language, the culture, and traditions of the people. I surely need more prayers from the people so that I will be able to fulfil my mandate in this Diocese,” Bendico told the huge crowd that gathered to welcome him.
Bendico came from the Archdiocese of Capiz and was parish priest of the Immaculate Conception Cathedral in Roxas City from April 14, 1984, up to January 9, 2017. He is also an alumnus of the University of Santo Tomas Central Seminary, where he pursued and completed his philosophical and theological studies. He received his Doctorate in Sacred Liturgy from the Pontifical Institute of St. Anselm, Rome.
After being ordained priest for the Archdiocese of Capiz on April 14, 1984, Msgr. Bendico served in numerous parishes around Capiz such as St. Theresa parish (Roxas City), St. Isidore parish, and St. Laurence parish (Panit-an, Pontevedra, Capiz). He was also Spiritual Director of St. Pius X Seminary and Vicar at St. Theresa parish. Alongside with being the parish priest of the Immaculate Conception Cathedral, he was also a member of the Commission for Clergy and the one for liturgy; member of the Council and the Senate of the clergy; and a member of the Council of the College of the Immaculate Conception.
Mayor Domogan is optimistic that Bishop Bendico will be able to inculcate to the people the words and deeds of the Almighty Father so that people will be convinced to shy away from vices and achieve the biblical preaching of eternal life for them.
Baguio and Benguet officials turned over to Bendico the symbolic key of the city and separate resolutions passed by the local legislative bodies warmly welcoming him as the new Bishop for the diocese of Baguio and Benguet.
On his part, Cenzon thanked the people of Baguio and Benguet for their support during his over fifteen years as the Bishop of the Diocese resulting in the implementation of numerous projects that contributed to improving the spiritual values of the residents.
Bendico assured the people that he will sustain the projects of Cenzon and will try to introduce initiatives that will strengthen the role of the church in nation-building.
By Dexter A. See
