Bacolod: The Roman Catholic faithful welcomed the installation of Most Rev. Louie Galbines as the seventh bishop of the Diocese of Bacolod in a ceremony held at the San Sebastian Cathedral here Tuesday. Galbines, 59, the former bishop of the Diocese of Kabankalan, succeeded Bishop Patricio Buzon, 76, who retired after leading the diocese here for almost 10 years.
According to Philippines News Agency, Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines Charles John Brown installed Galbines during the celebration attended by about 40 bishops from across the country. Archbishop of Manila Jose Cardinal Advincula, who delivered the homily during the Eucharistic celebration, focused on the two themes central to the ministry of a bishop - confidence in God and confidence of God. He reminded Galbines that episcopal ministry calls for a deep trust in God's providence while recognizing that God entrusts His people and their pastoral care to the bishop.
The installation ceremony was also witnessed by about 2,000 faithful and 325 priests from the Dioceses of Bacolod, Kabankalan, San Carlos, Manila, Cebu, and Legazpi. In May, Pope Leo XIV named Galbines as the successor of Buzon, who had surpassed the mandatory retirement age of 75 for Catholic bishops.
A native of Sagay City, Negros Occidental, Galbines studied philosophy and theology at the University of Santo Tomas Central Seminary in Manila before his priestly ordination in Bacolod in 1994. Galbines pursued advanced studies in Rome at the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas, where he earned licentiate and doctoral degrees in sacred theology in 2001. Thereafter, he served as a collaborator with the bishops' conference and held several diocesan leadership posts, including rector of Sacred Heart Seminary and vicar general of Bacolod.
In March 2018, Pope Francis appointed Galbines as bishop of Kabankalan, and he was ordained and installed in May that year. Bishop Galbines expressed his gratitude towards the Diocese of Bacolod and its people for their generous welcome, emphasizing his mission to help people remain rooted in Christ and to foster a spiritual life that enriches their daily existence.
