New Cebu Archbishop ‘Abet’ Uy gets warm welcome from Cebuanos
CEBU CITY—Catholic Church officials in Cebu rolls out red carpet for Cebu Archbishop-Designate Alberto “Abet ” Uy following his arrival here on Sunday, just hours after he also received an emotional send off from Boholanos whom he shepherded for nearly a decade.
Uy arrived at Cebu City’s port area shortly before 4 p.m. aboard Oceanjet 8.
He was met by outgoing Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma, other church officials and the mayors of Cebu, Mandaue and Lapulapu cities.
As soon as he stepped out from the vessel, red carpet was rolled out for him, after which gifts, like the image of the Señor Santo Niño and Cebu’s famed guitar, were handed to him.
He was also welcomed with songs and a Sinulog dance performance by Sandiego Dance troupe.
The people from all walks of life lined up in each side of the roads and waved flaglets while chanting “We Love You, Archbishop” and “Welcome to Cebu Archbishop” to greet Uy, who waved at his well wishers as he rode atop a pickup truck headed for the Archdiocese of Cebu in the city.
Uy, in a message, said he was overwhelmed by the reception he received from Cebuanos.
Farewell
Earlier in Tagbilaran City, hundreds of Catholic faithful gathered at St. Joseph the Worker Cathedral- Shrine on Sunday to bid farewell to Uy, a Boholano, ahead of his installation as the 5th Archbishop of Cebu on Tuesday.
Uy presided over the thanksgiving Mass, delivering a heartfelt homily that emphasized spiritual humility and compassion.
“The greatest sin is not always cruelty, but indifference. When we close our hearts to the poor, we are also closing our hearts to God,” he reminded the congregation, emphasizing that being “poor extends beyond material need—it reflects being poor in spirit.
He urged the faithful to act with generosity and empathy, rather than turn away from those in need. “
“Whatever you did to the least of your brothers and sisters, you did to me. When you have more than what you need, build a longer table, not a higher fence …padak-an nato atong kasingkasing para sa uban (Let us open are hearts wider for the others),” Uy said.
Uy departed from the port of Bohol to Cebu at around noon.
Uy will take over from Palma, who turned 75 last March, the mandatory retirement age for bishops.
Often referred to as the “cradle of Christianity” in the Philippines, Cebu is home to over 4.7 million Catholics and more than 170 parishes, making it one of the country’s largest and most vibrant ecclesiastical territories.
Born and raised in Ubay town of Bohol, Uy was appointed by the late Pope Francis as the 7th Bishop of Tagbilaran on Oct. 13, 2016. He was consecrated on Jan. 5, 2017.
