INSTALLATION OF BISHOP REY TO THE DIOCESE OF IMUS

By Marissa Dorotayo Balidoy

Mitis Et Humilis Corde

Just like his motto above, Most Reverend Bishop Reynaldo Gonda Evangelista, OFS D.D., with a meek and humble heart, is now strongly steering the faithful of the Diocese of Imus, Cavite, towards the challenging path to Christ.

His positive, happy, and humble countenance radiate among the young and old congregation of the Diocese who intently listens to the Christian values and teachings he continually shares during his charitable works and homilies. And more so, which he tries to live by daily in order to always be pleasing to the merciful Lord.

Bishop Rey, as he is fondly called by his devoted constituents, amazingly realized even at an early age that he was destined to serve God in a priestly capacity when he joined the St. Francis de Sales Minor Seminary in Lipa City during his high school years.

Fifth among nine children of Rufina Gonda and the late Benjanim Evangelista of Mabini, Batangas, Bishop Rey, who belongs to the Secular Franciscan Order (Ordo Franciscanus Saecularis or OFS) was officially installed as the fifth bishop of the Diocese on June 5, 2013, at the historic and miraculous Cathedral of Our Lady of the Pillar.

Despite the searing heat, a cheering crowd of more than a thousand people hurriedly flocked to the Cathedral or Shrine to welcome the then 53-year-old new head of the Imus Diocese. Canonical possession proceeded as Bishop Rey celebrated the installation mass with the Papal Nuncio to the Philippines, Archbishop Guiseppe Pinto, and Cardinals Luis Antonio Gokim Tagle, Gaudencio Rosales, and Ricardo Vidal as his concelebrants. Around 42 or so cardinals, archbishops, and bishops from all over the country including some notable local and provincial government leaders graced this important event.

Joining him in this joyous event were some Capuchin brothers from three parishes within the Diocese such as Our Lady of Lourdes and Ina ng Laging Saklolo, both in Tagaytay City and San Jose Manggagawa in General Mariano Alvarez. These were Br. Arnold Montealto from St. Francis Fraternity-INLSP, Sungay and Brothers Jose Mayo, Jefferson Agustin, Francisco Atienza, Paul Perlado, Jose Rico, Jeffrey Tores, and Anthony Almazan from St. Lawrence of Brindisi Fraternity-Lourdes Parish, and Br. Agapito Feniz and Br. Dennis Jose from San Jose Mangagawa Fraternity. They expressed their willingness to work hand-in-hand with Bishop Rey, especially in the call to minister, evangelize, and serve the Diocese of Imus.

Bishop Rey, the first Filipino Bishop appointed to a Diocese by Pope Francis last April 8, 2013, asked all those present to include him in their prayers so that he could have the holiness, strength, humility, and deep pastoral charity to ably lead his beloved flock. The newly installed Bishop, in an emotional tone, did not forget to thank, with all sincerity, the clergy and the laity of Boac, Marinduque, his former Diocese, where he served for eight long years, for their touching love, leadership, and support since he was installed there as their third Bishop in 2005.

He also promised everyone that he will fully embrace his role as the bishop and spiritual leader of the fast-growing Diocese of Imus. In his words, “As your bishop, I promise to give all to you, in the spirit of pastoral charity, and accomplish all things in the light of faith.” During the offertory, “Caracol,” the traditional dance of the native Caviteños, breathed festivity to the occasion. Priests and lay people performed the vibrant dance while gifts were being offered to the new bishop to welcome him in his new home.

“ Bishop Rey, the first Filipino Bishop appointed to a Diocese by Pope Francis last April 8, 2013, asked all those present to include him in their prayers so that he could have the holiness, strength, humility, and deep pastoral charity to ably lead his beloved flock. The newly installed Bishop, in an emotional tone, did not forget to thank, with all sincerity, the clergy and the laity of Boac, Marinduque, his former Diocese, where he served for eight long years, for their touching love, leadership, and support since he was installed there as their third Bishop in 2005"

More cheers and thunderous applause emanated from the appreciative crowd when to everybody’s surprise, Bishop Rey suddenly joined the dancing crowd for a minute or so after the offertory. The mass fittingly ended with the new diocese helmsman solemnly blessing the image of Nana Pilar, Patroness of Imus, for the very first time.

The predecessors of Bishop Rey in the Diocese of Imus are the following: Bishop Luis Antonio Gokim Tagle, who was appointed in the Diocese on October 22, 2001, and then appointed as Archbishop of Manila on October 13, 2011; Bishop Manuel Sobreviñas in 1993-2001; Bishop Felix Paz Perez, who was appointed February 25, 1969; he died on February 29, 1992; Bishop Artemio Casas, who was appointed on December 11, 1961, in the Diocese and then appointed as Auxiliary Bishop of Manila on September 4, 1968; he died on March 29, 1989.

When it comes to the newly installed bishop’s ordination history, his Diaconal Ordination was done by Most Rev. Ruben T. Profugo, D.D., of Lucena on February 26, 1986 at Carmel of St. Joseph Monastery, Lucena City. His Priestly Ordination was performed by Most Rev. Mariano G. Gaviola, D.D., of Lipa on June 19, 1986, at San Sebastian Cathedral, Lipa City, and his Episcopal Consecration was done by Most Rev. Antonio Franco, D.D., (Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines) on January 26, 2005.

Bishop Rey, now at 60 years of age, born on the 8th of May, 1960, comes from a large family. He has only one brother named Antonio and seven sisters, namely, Teresita (Roga), Melba (del Espiritu Santo), Evelyn (Llanes), Gloria (Sanchez), Rosita (Atienza), Cecilia (Ferrer), and Lea (Aspi). He lost his father on January 18, 1983, when he was only 23 years old.

He spent his elementary years (1967) in Anilao Elementary School in Batangas and attended intermediate school in 1970 at the Mabini Elementary School, and then finished high school at the St. Francis de Sales Minor Seminary in Lipa City. He entered the seminary in 1977 at the St. Francis de Sales Regional College Seminary in Brgy. Marawoy, Lipa City, majoring in Philosophy. In 1981, he went to St. Alphonsus School of Theology in Lucena City in Quezon province to major in Theology.

Bishop Rey was ordained in 1986, then he took Pastoral Counseling in 1987 at the Summer Institute of the Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU). In 1988, he traveled to Rome, Italy, to attend the course on Seminary Formation at the Pontifical Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum. Being installed as head of the Diocese of Imus entails a lot of challenges, but Bishop Rey believes that with the kind of devotion and faithfulness the Imuseños possess and with the guidance and goodness of the Lord as well as the enduring intercession of Nana Pilar, any adversity that will present itself to the Diocese and its people will be no match for the Imuseños …how much more for the Almighty?