New bishop ordained in Manila Cathedral

Rev. Rufino Sescon Jr. was ordained bishop of the Diocese of Balanga, Bataan on February 25, coinciding with the 39th anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution.

The ordination ceremony at the Manila Cathedral was presided over by Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas, with co-consecrators Cubao Bishop-Emeritus Honesto Ongtioco and Antipolo Bishop Ruperto Santos.

Appointed by Pope Francis on December 3, the 52-year-old Sescon is a former aide to the late Manila Archbishop Jaime Cardinal Sin.

Manila Archbishop Jose Cardinal Advincula, who described Sescon as a graceful priest, delivered the homily.

Sescon, formerly the rector of the Minor Basilica and National Shrine of Nuestro Padre Jesus Nazareno, expressed gratitude to Cardinal Sin, remembering him as a "priest, prophet, and patriot, one of the valiant heroes of EDSA."

The newly-consecrated bishop urged the Catholic faithful to continue commemorating the People Power Revolution and reminded them that a good Christian must uphold justice and peace.