By: Augusto Urbano II
Rev. Fr. Napoleon Sipalay Jr. O.P., D.D, a Dominican Priest, is ordained as the bishop of the Diocese of Alaminos. Photo courtesy of Veritas 846.
Rev. Fr. Napoleon Sipalay Jr. O.P., D.D is the newly ordained bishop of the Diocese of Alaminos to the episcopate held at the minor basilica of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary of Manaoag in Pangasinan today, March 18, 2024, making him the 4th Bishop of the said diocese.
Early this year in January, Pope Francis named Fr. Sipalay the First Dominican Bishop of the Philippines after nearly three decades.
Some of the Church leaders present during the installation rite were Abp. Charles John Brown D.D., the apostolic nuncio to the Philippines, Abp. Jose Cardinal Advincula O.P., D.D, the archbishop of Manila, and Abp. Socrates Villegas O.P., D.D, the archbishop of the archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan as principal consecrator, along with other bishops and members of the clergy from different parts of Luzon.
“We particularly thank the Lord for the gift of a new bishop to minister to His people,” said Cardinal Advincula in his message to the ordinand.
“Bishop Jun, maraming salamat na nandito ka ngayon para maging obispo. Salamat sa pagtanggap mo ng biyaya’t misyon ng paglilingkod bilang obispo,” the cardinal added.
The bishop-elect was the former Prior Provincial of the Dominican province of the Philippines from 2016 to 2021. He was also the vice-rector of the UST Central Seminary before his appointment as bishop, and also served as the chairman for the Letran Board of Trustees.
Most Rev. Fr. Napoleon Sipalay Jr., OP., D.D. will be installed in his new diocese tomorrow, March 19, 2024. The See of Alaminos which was vacant for four years will then have its new shepherd.
CONGRATULATIONS BP. NAPOLEON SIPALAY JR O.P., D.D