pn: Jorge Barlin: First Filipino Catholic bishop
Phil. News Agency
By Benny Luzentales
LUCENA CITY, Feb. 3 (PNA) -- On April 23 this year, five million
Bicolanos from here and abroad will celebrate with distinct pride and
privilege the 148th birth anniversary of Jorge Imperial Barlin.
Who was Jorge Barlin? What role did he play in Bicolano history and
culture?
Unknown to many Filipinos, particularly the younger generation, Jorge
Barlin was the acknowledged first Filipino bishop of the Roman Catholic
Church.
Barlin led the distinguished list of more than 30 bishops and
archbishops produced by the Bicol region, including Jose Cardinal T.
Sanchez, the highest ranking Filipino prelate in Pope John Paul II's
Cabinet.
Barlin was born on April 23, 1850 in Baao, Camarines Sur, hometown of
Makati City Rep. Joker P. Arroyo, to a hardworking, religious Bicolano
couple.
He entered the Seminario Conciliar de Nueva Caceres (now the Holy
Rosary Minor Seminary) in Naga City (Heart of Bicol), where his natural
talents were nurtured and developed.
He was ordained to the priesthood in 18974. Bishop Francisco Gainza,
a Spaniard who was his mentor, appointed him as Capellan de Solio and
Majordomo of the Cathedral in Nueva Caceres.
During the term of Bishop Arsenio Campo, Barlin was appointed pastor
and vicar fonane of Sorsogon in 1887.
Because of his dynamic leadership and concern for the poor and
underprivileged, the Spanish governor Villamil) entrusted the civilian
government to Barlin, who became the governor of Sorsogon, the first
Filipino to hold that prestigious position.
In 1903, he was appointed apostolic administrator of Nueva Caceres,
with the duties and responsibilities of a bishop.
During the height of the Aglipayan movement, Barlin was invited by
Bishop Gregorio Aglipay to head the movement. He strongly declined the
offer and even fought the Aglipayan church in court for alleged
landgrabbing activities.
On Dec. 14, 1905, Pope Pius X appointed Barlin as bishop-elect of
Nueva Caceres (Naga City).
On June 29, 1906, he was consecrated in Manila as bishop of Nueva
Caceres, the first Filipino bishop of the Roman Catholic Church.
At that time, most of the bishoprics in the entire country was headed
by Spanish and American prelates.
In 1909, he went to Rome to visit the Pope -- and at the same time
undergo treatment for a sudden ailment.
He was accompanied to Rome by his protege, Fr. Santiago Sancho, a
native of Libmanan, Camarines sur, who later became archbishop of Nueva
Segovia (Vigan).
For many years, Msgr. Sancho served as archbishop of Nueva Segovia,
the first Bicolano prelate to become archbishop.
Before he could pay his respects to the Sovereign Pontiff at the
Vatican, Barlin died on Sept. 4, 1909. He was buried in Rome.
One of the busiest streets in downtown Naga was named after Jorge
Imperial Barlin, the first Filipino bishop of the Roman Catholic Church.
(PNA) JV/BL/mlc
PNA 02030833
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