Bishop Louie Galbines began his ministry as the seventh bishop of the Diocese of Bacolod on August 11, calling for trust in Christ as he takes up pastoral leadership in one of the Philippines' major Catholic communities on Negros Island.
Archbishop Charles Brown, apostolic nuncio to the Philippines, presided over the installation Mass at San Sebastian Cathedral in Bacolod City, central Philippines.
The installation marked Bishop Louie Galbines' return to the Diocese of Bacolod eight years after he was appointed to lead the neighboring Diocese of Kabankalan.
“In 2018, Pope Francis sent me to Kabankalan, as a son of Bacolod,” Bishop Louie Galbines said. “But eight years later, Pope Leo returned me to Bacolod, no longer a son, but a father.”
Bishop Louie Galbines said his episcopal motto, Confido, Latin for “I trust”, expresses his commitment to trust in God and in the priests, consecrated persons, and lay faithful entrusted to his pastoral care.
In his homily, Cardinal Jose Advincula, Archbishop of Manila, said the motto points not only to trust in Christ but also to Christ's trust in those he calls to serve.
“Christ does not call us because we are already sufficient. Rather, he calls us because his grace will be sufficient,” Cardinal Advincula said.
Reflecting on the Gospel account of Peter's miraculous catch of fish, Cardinal Advincula said Peter trusted Jesus despite his own experience suggesting that another attempt would be unsuccessful.
“Peter trusted the carpenter who became captain of his boat,” he said, urging Bishop Louie Galbines to maintain the same trust when pastoral efforts appear unproductive or the future is uncertain.
Cardinal Jose Advincula also appealed to Catholics in Bacolod to support their new bishop through prayer and active participation in the Church's mission.
“Jesus has entrusted Bishop Louie to your love and care,” he concluded.
Bishop Louie Galbines acknowledged the difficulty of leaving Kabankalan after eight years, citing the relationships and friendships he had developed there. He described trust as essential to friendship and reflected on Jesus' calling his disciples friends.
Archbishop Charles Brown, who formally installed Bishop Louie Galbines, described the transition as a continuing transmission of the Catholic faith from one generation of bishops to another.
“Today we witness the passing on of the torch, the flame of faith here in the Diocese of Bacolod from the sixth to the seventh bishop without interruption,” he said.
Archbishop Brown thanked Bishop Emeritus Patricio Buzon, who led the Diocese of Bacolod for 10 years, for preparing the local Church for the transition. Speaking on behalf of Pope Leo XIV, the nuncio also recognized Bishop Buzon for his spirituality and Christ-centered leadership.
Archbishop Brown urged parents and grandparents to help pass on the Catholic faith to younger generations by bringing children to Mass and providing Catholic education whenever possible.
Bishop Galbines expressed gratitude to Bishop Emeritus Buzon for preparing the diocese before his arrival.
“Bishop Pat, you are the planter. I am the harvester,” Bishop Galbines said.
About 40 bishops from across the Philippines attended the installation Mass.
As he begins his ministry, Bishop Louie Galbines is expected to draw on the spirit of Confido as he leads the Diocese of Bacolod in its mission of faith, communion, and service.
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