HE felt many bishops were more qualified than him.
But Archbishop Jose Palma got a pleasant surprise when over two years ago Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI appointed him chief shepherd of the Archdiocese of Cebu.
“I was thinking why was I chosen when there are other bishops who are more senior than me, more brilliant and capable,” he said in an interview yesterday.
Now, Palma could only smile as he looks back at the Pope who gave him the opportunity and challenge to serve the flock in the Archdiocese of the Most Holy Name of Jesus.
The 62-year-old prelate gave the Holy Father a brown, wooden image of the Sto. Nino when he along with Archbishop Emeritus Ricardo Cardinal Vidal went to Rome in 2011 for the ad limina visit which happens every five years.
Palma said he personally met with Benedict XVI at least seven times. He described the former Pope as “very brilliant” and meek.
“We are grateful to the Lord for giving us a Pope who is very humble (and) prayerful, leading the Church towards the appreciation of our faith and renewal,” he said.
At first, Palma said he was shocked upon learning that Benedict XVI expressed his desire to resign from the papacy.
“What was originally a shock turns into an admiration. He left a legacy for many not cling to honor and power. He knows his limit physically. It’s not just a question of teaching but also about meeting meeting,” he said.
Palma, in his capacity as archbishop of Cebu and president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, wrote a letter addressed to Benedict XVI.
“We, the people of God in the Philippines, find it difficult to describe how we felt when you announced Your Holiness’ resignation as our beloved Supreme Pontiff. Many of us shed tears. But, we know that it is because of Your Holiness’ great love for the Church that, after a long period of discernment, you made that decision and that it is all for the good of Christ’s faithful,” he said.
“Holy Father, thank you very much for shepherding the Church with wisdom and great zeal, making us experience the presence of God in our midst even duing these troubled times,” he added.
Palma also didn’t fail to thank Benedict XVI for elevating Visayan martyr Pedro Calungsod to sainthood last Oct. 21, 2011.
“Please be assured of our continuous prayers for you as we unite ourselves to your prayers and sacrifices for the good of the Church and for the salvation of all,” he said.
In his interview with reporters, Palma highlighted Benedict XVI’s teachings about “relativism” which happens when people are “tossed here and there, carried about by every wind of doctrine.”
The former Pope stressed that the only absolute truth is God and all other beliefs should conform to the divine.
“His (best legacy) is his guidance, clarity of his mind, and the challenge to remind us of the substantials of our Catholic Church. We all go back to Christ. We need to open our life to God. God will not abandon us,” he said.