Capiz Archbishop Celebrates Golden Sacerdotal Jubilee

by Bienvenido P. Cortes

Roxas City – The Most Rev. Onesimo C. Gordoncillo, D.D., archbishop of Capiz,　 is celebrating his 50th sacerdotal anniversary as a priest on March 17-18 in this city. He is 76 years old. He has been assigned in the Archdiocese of Capiz　 for 25 years　 having been installed as such on August 27, 1986.

Gordoncillo was born in Jimalalud, Negros Oriental on February 16, 1935 of parents Calixto Gordoncillo and Ceferina Cadiz, both deceased. He attended Jimalalud Elem. School in 1943-49; Sacred Heart Seminary in Bacolod City in 1949-54; and Central Seminary, UST, Manila in 1954-61. He was ordained to the priesthood in Dumaguete Cathedral on March 18, 1961. After graduation, Gordoncillo taught at St. Joseph Seminary, Dumaguete City in 1961-64 and Assistant at the Dumaguete Cathedral Parish in the same year.

In 1964-65, studied Master of Arts in Guidance and Counselling at the Mankato State University, Minnesota, USA .He returned to St. Joseph Seminary, Dumaguete City as Rector in 1966-1970. He served as parish priest at Dauin, Negros Oriental in 1969-1970; appointed Papal Chamberlain on July 26, 1971; Chancellor of Dumaguete Diocese in1971; parish priest of Dumaguete Parish Cathedral in 1972; and appointed Titular Bishop of Ginugo and Auxiliary Bishop of Dumaguete on March 14, 1974.

On July l0, 1976, Msgr. Gordoncillo was appointed Bishop of Tagbilaran, Bohol. He was installed as the 3rd Bishop of Tagbilaran on October 11, 1976.

On June 18, 1986 he was appointed Archbishop of Capiz, and installed as the 2nd Archbishop of Capiz on August 27, 1986.

While in Bohol, he co-founded the Bohol Diocesan Multi-Purpose Cooperative. On Sept. 28, 2008 he was invited by Rev. Fr. Erno B. Diaz, who hails from Maayon, Capiz, as principal celebrant of the solemn feast day mass　of San Lorenzo Ruiz at the St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City. Diaz is the director of the Chapel of San Lorenzo Ruiz in New York City and coordinator of the Archdiocese of New York.

In his sacerdotal jubilee, several guests are expected to attend. Among whom are Ricardo Cardinal Vidal, D.D., Archbishop-Emeritus of Cebu; Most Rev. Romulo dela Cruz, D.D., Bishop of Kidapawan; and Most Rev. Juan de Dios Pueblos,D.D., Bishop of Butuan. Most Rev. Edward Joseph Adams, D.D., Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines; Most Rev. Ernesto Salgado, D.D., Archbishop of Nueva Segovia; Most Rev. Angel Lagdameo, D.D., Aarchbishop of Jaro; Most Rev. Socrates Villegas, D.D., Archbishop of Lingayen-Dagupan.

Among the bishops who will attend are Most Rev. Jose Advincula, D.D., Bishop of San Carlos; Most Rev. Gerardo Alminaza, D.D., Auxiliary Bishop of Jaro; Most Rev. Patricio Buzon, D.D., Bishop of Kaabankaklan; Most Rev. Antonieto Cabajog, D.D., bishop of Surigao; Most Rev. Jolito Cortes, D.D., Auxiliary Bishop of Cebu; Most Rev. Camilo Gregorio, D.D., Bishop Prelate of Batanes; Most Rev. John Du, D.D., Bishop of Dumaguete; Most Rev. Romeo Lazo, D.D., Bishop of San Jose de Antique; Most　Rev. Renato Mayugba, D.D., Auxiliary Bishop of Lingayen-Dagupan; Most Rev. Leonardo Medroso, D.D., Bishop of Tagbilaran; Most Rev. Vicente Navarra, D.D., Bishop of Bacolod; Most Rev. Gabriel Reyes, D.D., Bishop of Antipolo; and Most Rev. Jose Corazon Tala-oc, D.D., Bishop of Romblon.

MONSISGNORI/Administrators: Msgr. Giorgio Chezza (with Papal Nuncio’s party); Msgr. Cesar Caluya (Masbate) and Fr. Ulysses Dalida (Kalibo) /MP