Outgoing Cebu Archbishop Jose S. Palma bid farewell to the archdiocese with a heartfelt homily of gratitude at the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral on September 28, highlighting unity and shared faith as the foundation of the Church’s journey under his leadership.
Palma, who has shepherded the Archdiocese of Cebu, Philippines, since 2011, likened himself to a coach who thrived because of a strong team.
“If it were sports, I consider myself the coach,” he said. “If we had been winning, it’s not so much because of me, but because we have a good team. That’s how I look at you, at all of us. I’m just an ordinary coach. But if there were good things that happened, if there were expressions of unity in both good times and bad, if there were moments when even those who have less felt there was reason to hope because others shared, then I, as the coach, can say, ‘Yes, it’s the work of everybody.’”
As Cebu prepares to welcome its new Archbishop, Alberto “Abet” S. Uy, Palma urged the faithful to continue living in the spirit of synodality, ang atong pagkabinunyagan (our being baptized), emphasizing that the Church is a family where all are brothers and sisters in God.
“Cebu is a beautiful Church,” he said. “Yes, we are gifted, and because we are gifted, we are gifted to give. Daghan kaayong salamat.” (Thank you very much.)
During his 14-year tenure, Palma oversaw significant milestones for the local Church, including preparations for the canonization of San Pedro Calungsod in 2012, the launch of the proposed archdiocesan restructuring known as Sugbuswak, and initiatives to deepen pastoral unity across parishes.
The Sugbuswak plan, which seeks to divide the Archdiocese of Cebu into new dioceses in Danao and Carcar, responds to the reality that Cebu, with over 5 million Catholics, one of the largest archdioceses in the Philippines, has grown too vast for a single archbishop to pastor effectively. By creating smaller dioceses, the Church aims to bring pastoral care closer to the people, strengthen administration, and deepen community engagement.
In July 2023, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines unanimously approved the division during its plenary assembly.
Palma’s final message underscored continuity, urging the faithful to remain steadfast in faith and service as the archdiocese begins a new chapter.
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