• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The St. Francis Xavier Cathedral in Hacienda Clementina, Barangay Talubangi in Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental, formally opened its doors to the public on December 2, following solemn dedication rites which was presided by Jose Cardinal Advincula, Archbishop of Manila, and attended by 10 archbishops and bishops across the country.
Cardinal Advincula stressed three key points for reflection in his homily: belonging, believing, and becoming, in the temple of God.
He also emphasized that the new Cathedral should stand as a symbol of unity and faith for the whole diocese.
The Cardinal also expressed his hope that the Cathedral will become “a locus of belonging, where no one is left behind,” underscoring the Church’s mission to welcome, accompany, and embrace all.
Bishop Louie Galbines described the Cathedral as a “landmark” in the Diocese of Kabankalan.
“The massive structure, everything that is put in there, reminds us that as long as we are attached to the Lord and to one another we can always build big, dream big, and accomplish big in our life,” Galbines added.
The Kabankalan bishop thanked all the faithful for making the dream of the new Cathedral of St. Francis Xavier a reality.
In his speech during the thanksgiving luncheon for Papal awardees at the Kabankalan Catholic College, following the solemn dedication rites of St. Francis Xavier, Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said “may the new cathedral inspire us to live lives of service and compassion.”
“May it remind us that faith is not only a personal but a shared journey, and a commitment to uplift and care for one another, especially those most affected by hardship,” Lacson stressed.
It took eight years for the construction of the Cathedral, which was started during the stint of Bishop Patricio Buzon as head of the Diocese of Kabankalan.
Galbines said the construction of the Church is a big miracle for them.
“It was not easy, but we know it is possible,” the bishop said.
Hundreds of faithful in the Diocese of Kabankalan, including government officials, among them Representatives Mercedes Alvarez and Emilio Bernardino Yulo, Kabankalan Mayor Benjie Miranda and Miguel Angelo Yulo of Isabela, as well as La Castellana Vice Mayor Almee Rhummyla Mangilimutan, and clergy from neighboring dioceses attended the three-hour mass, with some braving the intense heat outside of the cathedral.*
