Legazpi Prepares to Welcome its 6th Bishop

LEGAZPI City, Dec. 9, 2009-The Province of Albay, famous for its Mayon Volcano, is in the thick of preparations to welcome its sixth bishop, the 55-year old Bishop Joel Z. Baylon, in fitting liturgical reception and canonical installation at the St. Gregory the Great Cathedral at 4:00 P.M. tomorrow.

The Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines Archbishop Edward Joseph Adams and the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Manila His Eminence Gaudencio B. Cardinal Rosales will lead about 30 other bishops from across the country.

Baylon will be formally introduced by Archbishop Leonardo Z. Legazpi, Metropolitan archbishop of Nueva Caceres, to the bishops-emeriti and clergy of the Diocese of Legazpi.

He will succeed Apostolic Administrator Bishop Lucilo B. Quiambao. Prior to his appointment to the Diocese of Legazpi, Baylon was Bishop of Masbate since 1998.

He is also the chair of the Episcopal Commission on Youth (ECY) of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) which was host to the 5th Asian Youth Day recently held in the diocese of Imus, Cavite.

The Diocese of Legazpi welcomes back Baylon who was born in Milaor, Camarines Sur on January 29, 1954 and finished his grade school education at St. Peter's Academy in Polangui, Albay, his high school studies at the St Gregory the Great Seminary in Panal, Tabaco, Albay and his college education at the Divine Word College-Legazpi while residing at the Diocese of Legazpi's Vianney Hall.

He finished his Theologate at the Divine Word Seminary in 1979 while residing at the Tahanan ng Mabuting Pastol, both in Tagaytay City. He was ordained priest on October 18, 1978.

In 1985, Baylon earned an MA degree in Formative Spirituality from the Duquesne University, Pittsburg, PA, USA.

His ministry began as spiritual director of St. Gregory the Great Seminary, Panal, Tabaco, Albay from 1979-1983 and as Spiritual Director of Holy Rosary Major Seminary in Naga City. He was Assistant Secretary General, Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines in Intramuros, Manila from 1988-90.

He became Secretary to the Apostolic Nuncio to the Philipines from 1991-95 and Pastor of St. Vincent Ferrer Parish in Barangay Bigaa, this city from 1995-98.

He was ordained bishop by Apostolic Nuncio Gian Vincenzo Moreni on March 25, 1998.

Bishop Baylon is expected to arrive the Port of Pilar in Sorsogon Province tomorrow at about 8:30 A.M. He will be accompanied by priests, religious, lay leaders and parishioners from the Diocese of Masbate where he served for 11 years.

He will be officially welcomed at the boundary of Our Lady of Salvation Parish, Anislag, Daraga, Albay. A motorcade will be held in his honor towards St. Gregory the Great Cathedral grounds. (Melo M. Acuna)