By Fr. Ambrose Pereira SDB, Fr. Angel Sanchez SDB and Karl David Valmonte

Kerema, PNG, 25 March 2017 -- The Episcopal Ordination of Bishop Pedro Baquero Jr. SDB, of the Diocese of Kerema, took place, on 25th March, 2017, Solemnity of the Lord’s Annunciation, at the Holy Spirit Cathedral, in Kerema, Gulf Province, Papua New Guinea.

The Principal Consecrator was His Eminence John Cardinal Ribat MSC, DD (Archbishop of Port Moresby). Archbishop Kurian Mathew Vayalunkal DD, Apostolic Nuncio to PNG & SI and Archbishop Francisco Panfillo SDB, DD (Archbishop of Rabaul) were the principal co-consecrators. 15 bishops and more than 40 priests were present for the consecration of the 4th Bishop of Kerema, a See that was vacant for the past 4 years. As his motto, Bishop Peter has taken, "Caritate et Misericoria." It was an inspiration drawn from Article 2 of the Salesian Constitutions: “Sign and Bearer of God’s Love and Mercy.”

“As a Salesian priest, I follow the very call of a Salesian of Don Bosco, that is, to be a sign and bearer of God’s love for the young. The motto for my Episcopacy is expressed in Latin in this short phrase, CARITATE ET MISERICORDIA. In English, it may be expressed in various ways: From (the) LOVE AND MERCY (of God), He has called us to be His own children through Baptism. By (the) LOVE AND MERCY (of God), He has called me to be a Salesian, a priest, and now, a bishop. Before (the) LOVE AND MERCY (of God), I submit to His Will and to the guidance of the Holy Spirit In (the) LOVE AND MERCY (of God), this sacred episcopacy is lived and offered for the Church, the Bride of Christ, and to the faithful of Kerema. With (the) LOVE AND MERCY (of God), we pray that this episcopacy is exercised and fulfilled, keeping in mind and heart that every thought, every word, every plan and decision, every reflection and action be done with Love and Mercy. And may our journey as Church truly lead us to the LOVE AND MERCY of God.”

Fr. Pedro Sachitula SDB, was the Master of Ceremonies. The altar servers were the aspirants of Savio Haus. The Liturgy was made more colourful by the dances of traditional “singsing” groups from Mary Help of Christians Parish (Lariau) and St. Mary’s Parish (Lese Oalai). The Holy Spirit Choir coordinated by George Evara sang hymns in the Kamea language (mountains), Toaripi language (East Kerema) and the Orokolo language (West Kerema). Rica Lavila conducted the Don Bosco Technical School (Gabutu) staff choir as they sang the Responsorial Psalm entitled “Here I am, O Lord,” The Litany of Supplication, Da Mihi Animas and Caritate et Misericordia all composed for the occasion by Fr. Angel Sanchez SDB who also accompanied the singing with the keyboard.

In the homily, Archbishop Francesco Panfilo SDB DD highlighted the mystery of God’s call that demands a response, a sincere ‘Yes’. He recalled some “call” stories from the Old Testament: that of Abraham, Moses, Isaiah and Jeremiah. Turning to Mary who had a very important role in the history of salvation, Archbishop Panfilo reminded the faithful that it is in Her ‘yes’ that all vocations (lay, religious, priestly, episcopal) find their inspiration. Addressing the young Bishop Peter, he said, “Let your Episcopal ministry be characterized by ‘Love and Mercy’ and be carried out in ‘Love and Mercy’. He recalled the words of Pope Francis to the Italian Bishops, 20th Mary, 2014, “Be simple in your style of life, detached, poor and merciful … be close to the people, learn their language, approach each one with charity, … be with people in their nights of loneliness, anxieties and their failures”. He concluded his homily by entrusting the Pastoral Ministry of Bishop Peter to Mary Help of Christians and St. John Bosco and by invoking the Holy Spirit that the joy of the Gospel may reach all corners of the challenging Diocese of Kerema.

There was a very prayerful atmosphere as the congregation witnessed the laying on of hands, the putting of the open book of the Gospels on the head of the bishop, anointing with Holy Chrism, investiture with ring, miter and pastoral staff. As the new bishop ascended the cathedra, the congregation gave him a thunderous applause.

The Holy Spirit Cathedral was filled to capacity. Priests, Religious sisters from different congregations, seminarians, lay faithful, close friends, representatives from different parishes joined in the celebrations. Sofia and Pedro Baquero, parents of the bishop together with Clotilde Baquero, sister and Rex Marciano Baquero, brother travelled from the Philippines to pray for and with their son and brother on this solemn occasion. Several of the congregation outside the cathedral, watched the service projected on a screen.

Words of congratulations were expressed by Cardinal Ribat. He invited the congregation to thank God for this great gift. He thanked all those who assisted him in the administration of the diocese, especially Fr. Valeriano Barbero SDB. The Apostolic Nuncio had the Diocese of Kerema as a priority and he requested the people to pray that they be given a bishop. On his first visit to the diocese in November last year, he also promised them that his next visit would be for the ordination of the new bishop. True enough! God heard the prayer of God’s people. In congratulating the youngest bishop, he spoke of him as, ‘father, brother, friend and a gentle negotiator”. Fr. Alfred Maravilla SDB, Provincial of the PGS vice-province commented on the 37 years of our presence in Araimiri and that we now have a gift to the Church in Kerema. Tony Malaisa, Catholic Education Secretary spoke on behalf of the Diocese of Kerema and asked the faithful to cooperate and work together with the new bishop. Bishop Peter responded and expressed his thanks to all who prepared the celebration. He pointed out briefly how Mary is an important part of his life and vocation. He was ordained a deacon on March 25, 1999 and a priest on December 8, of that same year. He concluded by entrusting his ministry to the maternal guidance and protection of Mary.

Coat of Arms or Insignia

• CROSS - to symbolize LOVE
• BAMBOO CROSS - to symbolize my rootedness...a Filipino
• ROCK (at the foot of the Cross) – symbolizes my name PETER,
• U shape from the bottom of the Cross:
• Left side is HYSSOP used for blessing, anointing, purification (to symbolize MERCY), on the right side is a sago and coconut palms (or leaves) symbolizing the typical plant in Gulf Province and PNG.
• The U-shape also depicts two outstretched arms raised up symbolizing receiving and sharing God’s Love and Mercy.
• STAR - symbolizes Mary, Star of Evangelization and the Salesian Constitutions.
• BLUE background – the predominant color of Gulf Province.

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