By Helen Castaño | 02:50 PM September 30, 2025
CEBU CITY — Archbishop Alberto “Abet” Uy was officially installed as the fifth archbishop and 25th bishop of the Archdiocese of Cebu during solemn rites at the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral, succeeding Archbishop Emeritus Jose Palma who retired at the mandatory age of 75.
“My good people in Cebu, I am here, reporting for duty… The Archdiocese of Cebu is so big and my capacity is so little. Please be good to me. I promise to give you my best, so we can walk closer to Christ, our true shepherd,” Uy said in his words of thanks.
A Journey of Service
Born in Ubay, Bohol, Uy was ordained a priest in 1993 for the Diocese of Talibon. He first served in Jagna and later as dean of seminarians before pursuing doctoral studies in Rome. From 2006 to 2010, he was rector of St. John Mary Vianney Theological Seminary in Cagayan de Oro before returning to Jagna as parish priest.
He later served as parish priest of Talibon Cathedral while also acting as episcopal vicar for the clergy. In 2016, Pope Francis appointed him Bishop of Tagbilaran. He was consecrated in Talibon on January 5, 2017, and formally installed at St. Joseph the Worker Cathedral in Tagbilaran the next day.
A Gathering of the Church
Uy’s installation in Cebu drew leading figures of the Catholic Church, including Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines Archbishop Charles John Brown, Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, Cardinal Jose Advincula, and Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David, alongside numerous bishops and archbishops from across the country.
His family and local officials were also present, among them Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro, Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival, Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Cindi King-Chan, Mandaue City Mayor Jonkie Ouano, Bohol Board Member Dionisio Joseph Balite, and Ubay Vice Mayor Constantino Reyes.
Messages of Hope and Challenge
In his homily, Cardinal Tagle said Cebu, recognized as the cradle of Christianity in the Philippines, enters a new chapter under Archbishop Uy.
Jesus was not seeking celebrity status or millions of likes. He was seeking to do God’s will no matter what the cost. The Archdiocese of Cebu, with Archbishop Abet, must ask: what are we seeking? Success, affirmation, or the Lord and His Gospel?”
Archbishop Emeritus Palma, meanwhile, urged the faithful to embrace the spirit of synodality and assured Uy of his prayers and support. “Archbishop Uy’s journey is just beginning. To Archbishop Abet, I assure you, in my own little way, I am just a text away,” he said.
For his part, Apostolic Nuncio Brown exhorted the faithful to walk with their new shepherd: “I ask all of you to love, pray, respect, and help your Archbishop. He has received from the Holy Father this mandate to lead you now, to be your shepherd, to walk with you in the pathways of the saints.”
