17 March 2014
MEMO TO: THE ADZU COMMUNITY
RE: NEW ARCHBISHOP OF ZAMBOANGA CITY
I am happy to announce that Pope Francis has named Bishop Romulo Tolentino De La Cruz as the new Archbishop of Zamboanga in the Philippines. The Ateneo de Zamboanga University community is one in celebrating this event with gratitude to God, to the Pope, and the Philippine Church.
Bishop Dela Cruz was born in Balasan, 24 June 1947, and received his priestly formation at the Grand Seminary in Davao City. He was ordained for the Archdiocese of Cotabato on 8 December 1972 where he served as a pastor. Before being named vicar general, he was rector of Notre Dame Archdiocesan Seminary in Cotabato from 1976 to 1983. Among his many important assignments are: coadjutor bishop (1987-88) and bishop (1989-2001) of Isabela; coadjutor bishop (2001) and bishop (2002-2008) at San José de Antigue; and most recently, bishop (2008-2014) of the Diocese of Kidapawan.
We would like to thank Monsignor Crisologo B. Manongas for his stewardship of the Archdiocese of Zamboanga as its Administrator for more than two years.
I enjoin the community to welcome the new Archbishop as he joins the Zamboangueños in our mission in the service of the Catholic Church.
FR KAREL S SAN JUAN SJ
University President
Memo: 13-14:86