CATARMAN, Northern Samar — Former Antipolo auxiliary bishop Nolly Camingue Buco has been appointed by Pope Francis as the new leader of the Diocese of Catarman Diocese during a celebration of the Holy Mass before a packed crowd at the Our Lady of the Annunciation Cathedral in Catarman.

In his homily, the new bishop thanked the warm welcome afforded to him by the diocese, which serves more than 600,000 Catholics, and at the same time expressed his commitment to the new role given to him while calling on the community to work together in humility and service.

The 61-year-old prelate shared to Mass-goers his deeply personal reflection on his journey and the lessons he has learned as well from what he termed as 'wounds' that he encountered in life, both as a pastor and a person.
Drawing attention to the significance of his new assignment in Samar, a region whose name is derived from the local dialect 'samad', that means 'wound' or 'cut', Bishop Buco alludef to it to highlight the spiritual value of suffering and pain as a path to growth.

“As I reflect on my life, I recognize that to be truly, fully alive, one must also embrace being wounded. For indeed, wounds are a gift, like the very wounds of Jesus on the cross," he enthused.

He explained further that although wounds are painful, they are also signs of life, calling individuals to healing, action and transformation.

“Today, I come before you as your new bishop, not with grandeur… but bearing the wounds that I have that shaped me. Wounds that have taught me how to be fully human and fully Christian,” he asserted.

Buco's installation was led by Archbishop John Du of Palo, with papal nuncio Archbishop Charles Brown and dozens of bishops, priests and local officials attending the historic ceremony.