Cebu Archdiocese Celebrates 75th Anniversary

CEBU CITY, April 20 (PNA) -- A total of 32 Catholic bishops and archbishops from all over the country are expected to attend the celebration on April 28 of the 75th founding anniversary of the Cebu Archdiocese.

The archdiocese has grown over the years with 144 parishes all over Cebu, said Msgr. Achilles Dakay, media liaison officer of the Cebu Archdiocese.

"We have covered the Cebu islands with more parishes and priests all over," he said.

"The birth of parishes from mother parishes shows that the archdiocese is growing and that we are not breaking," said Dakay.

"Cebu is not just the cradle of Christianity in the Far East. We have grown out of the cradle and grown in size, wisdom and grace," said Dakay.

The archdiocese will celebrate its 7th anniversary under the theme "Growing together as the body of Christ."

It will hold a pontifical mass at the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral with 32 bishops and archbishops from all over the country attending the event.

Papal Nuncio Archbishop Edward Joseph Adams and President Arroyo are expected to attend the celebration.

Fr. Mhar Balili of the Archbishop's Residence, said they will also unveil the Church's marker and formally open the Holy Door.

Church officials are hopeful that the Pope will declare the year a "Year of Grace" for the archdiocese.

The archdiocese has also taken measures in accommodating the thousands of churchgoers expected for the event.

At least 4,000 chairs will be set up inside the church and on the church grounds.

The streets surrounding the cathedral will also be closed to accommodate the crowd that is expected to spill outside the church premises.

In the evening of April 28, the Archdiocese will stage a cultural event at the Cebu International Convention Center that will show the growth of the Cebu Archdiocese since its foundation in 1934. (PNA)