Published Date: October 15, 2010
Archbishop Edward Joseph Adams, papal nuncio to the Philippines, relayed the news of Archbishop Palma’s appointment to Monsignor Pedro Quitorio, media director of the bishop conference. “I wrote to inform you that the Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI has appointed His Excellency Most Rev. Jose S. Palma until now the Archbishop of Palo, as Archbishop of Cebu,” read the letter of Archbishop Adams dated Oct. 14.
Cardinal Vidal submitted his retirement papers to the Pope in February 2006 when he turned 75 years old. Canon law requires that Catholic bishops tender their resignation on their 75th birthday. Cardinal Vidal will continue to head Cebu archdiocese as Apostolic Administrator with powers of an ordinary bishop until Archbishop Palma’s installation.
SHORT BIOGRAPHY: Archbishop Jose S. Palma, DD, SThD was born on March 19, 1950 in Dingle, Iloilo. He was ordained a priest on Aug. 21, 1976. He was appointed Titular Bishop of Vazaritanae Diddensis and Auxiliary Bishop of Cebu on Nov. 28, 1997. His episcopal ordination was on Jan. 13, 1998. On January 13, 1999, he was appointed Bishop of Calbayog. His installation took place on March 9, 1999. He was appointed Archbishop of Palo on March 19, 2006 and was installed there on May 2, 2006. He was appointed Diocesan Administrator of Calbayog on March 19, 2006. At the same time (that is, from March 19, 2006) he was the Diocesan Administrator of Calbayog until Jan. 5, 2007 (when the Diocese of Calbayog was given her own bishop). On July 11, 2009, he was elected Vice President of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP).
