Leo Magdugo Dalmao
ZAMBOANGA CITY — Basilan has a new bishop to lead the Catholic flock in the island-province.
Claretian priest Leo Magdugo Dalmao was installed as bishop of the Prelature of Isabela on Friday at the St. Elizabeth de Portugal Cathedral in Isabela City, the capital of Basilan.
“We are glad that we have a new bishop in Basilan. It’s a joy that Holy Father appointed Bishop Dalmao,” said former Basilan Bishop Martin Jumoad, who is now the bishop of Ozamiz City.
Jumoad said the Catholic faithful welcomed with hope the return to Basilan of Dalmao, who once served as a Claretian missionary in the province.
Dalmao’s appointment was announced last month by Fr. Roel Casas, the prelature’s administrator, following receipt of a letter from Papal Nuncio Gabriele Giordano Caccia, the apostolic nuncio to the Philippines, confirming Dalmao’s naming by Pope Francis.
Archbishop Romulo de la Cruz of Zamboanga City led the installation ceremony, along with Archbishop Romulo Valles of Davao City and Jumoad.
Dalmao, 49, was a missionary in Maluso town from 1997 to 2002. A native of Tagbilaran City, he was the fourth bishop to serve the Prelature of Isabela and the second from the Claretian congregation.
The first was Bishop Jose Maria Querexeta, a Spanish Claretian missionary who served the province from 1970 to 1987. The two other prelates who served Basilan were Bishop Romulo de la Cruz (1989-2001) and Jumoad, who was transferred to Ozamiz City in 2016. —JULIE ALIPALA