INFANTA, Quezon – A sexagenarian priest who headed the Catholic Media Network (CMN) and who is also known as a vocal arch-critic of politicians has been installed as the new bishop of the Catholic Prelature of Infanta which covers this province and Aurora.
Manila Auxiliary Bishop Bernardino Cortez, 65, was installed as the fourth bishop of the Prelature of Infanta at the Saint Mark’s Cathedral in a two-hour liturgical rites here Friday.
Cortez succeeded Archbishop Rolando Tria Tirona who was named Archbishop of Nueva Caceres.
Cortez’s new assignment has a Catholic population of 4.35 million.
Cortez is chairman of the CMN. He was former parish priest of the Diocese of San Pablo in Laguna where he was ordained in June 1974.
Outspoken and hard-hitting, Cortez gained prominence for bashing politicians and criticizing them for allegedly taking advantage of the electorate, saying that these politicians’ concern is not genuine because they usually exhibit it to voters during the election season.
When the elections are over, he said many politicians do something to advance their self-interests.
Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle, who graced the ceremony, called on the faithful to be more prayerful and to show profound respect for human beings and their sensibilities.
He said the Prelature will continue to respond to numerous pastoral challenges, especially those related to authentic human development, the situation of indigenous peoples (IPs) among others.
Then turning to corrupt politicians, he said “sana yung mga buwaya ay maging butiki (crocodiles should turn into lizards).”
Pope John Paul II appointed Cortez as Auxiliary Bishop of Manila in May 2004 where he served for 10 years.
Last October 27, Pope Francis appointed him as the new Bishop of Infanta. (Manny Galvez)
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