BACOLOD CITY — The Diocese of Bacolod will officially welcome Bishop Louie Galbines as its seventh bishop during installation rites on Aug. 11 at the San Sebastian Cathedral.
The installation Mass is set for 9 a.m., with Archbishop Charles Brown, Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines, presiding as the installing prelate.
Galbines, 59, was appointed by Pope Leo XIV on May 14, succeeding Bishop Emeritus Patricio Buzon, who stepped down after nearly 10 years of leading the diocese.
The appointment marks a homecoming for Galbines, a native of Negros Occidental and a longtime priest of the Diocese of Bacolod.
Ordained to the priesthood in 1994, Galbines served in various key positions within the diocese, including seminary formator, diocesan chancellor, rector, and vicar general. In 2018, he was appointed bishop of the Diocese of Kabankalan.
He earned his philosophy and theology degrees at the University of Santo Tomas Central Seminary and later pursued advanced theological studies in Rome.
Galbines was ordained bishop at San Sebastian Cathedral on May 28, 2018, before assuming leadership of the Diocese of Kabankalan the following day.
His return comes after the retirement of Bishop Buzon, 76, who submitted his resignation in accordance with Church law requiring bishops to offer their resignation upon reaching the age of 75.
Since Buzon’s retirement, the Diocese of Bacolod has been under a period of sede vacante—a vacant episcopal seat—while awaiting the formal installation of its new bishop.
Buzon continues to administer the diocese as apostolic administrator until Galbines officially takes canonical possession of the see on Aug. 11.
The installation will mark a new chapter for one of the country’s largest Catholic dioceses as it welcomes back a son of Negros Occidental to lead its faithful.|
