Socrates B. Villegas
Encyclopedia
Socrates Buenaventura Villegas,D.D. , born in Manila
, September 28, 1960, is a bishop
of the Roman Catholic Church
in the Philippines
. He is the Archbishop of Lingayen-Dagupan
in Pangasinan
, Philippines
. He was also elected Vice President of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines
since July 11, 2011.
, his hometown, and finished secondary education at the Colegio de San Juan de Letran
in Manila. He studied for the priesthood and received his degree of Master of Arts in Theological Studies at San Carlos Seminary in Guadalupe, Makati City. Ordained to the priesthood by Cardinal Jaime Sin on October 5, 1985 at the Immaculate Conception Cathedral in Manila, he served as personal secretary of the Archbishop
from his ordination
until 2004. While keeping this post, he also served as rector
of the EDSA Shrine
and Vicar general
of the archdiocese.
Pope John Paul II
appointed him auxiliary bishop of Manila on July 25, 2001. He received the episcopal ordination from Cardinal Jaime Sin on August 31, 2001.
He was installed as the third Bishop of Balanga
on July 3, 2004 and convoked the First Diocesan Synod
in 2006. He also founded the St. Joseph's College of Balanga.
On September 8, 2009, Pope Benedict XVI
appointed him Archbishop of Lingayen-Dagupan.
Pope Benedict XVI
appointed him member of the Presidential Committee of the Pontifical Council for the Family
on September 30, 2009.
He has written and published six books of homilies and spiritual reflections. He was awarded the 1994 Catholic Authors’ Award and the Ten Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) of the Philippines in the year 2000. The Bataan Peninsula State University
bestowed on him the Degree of Doctor of Humanities honoris causa in recognition and appreciation of his work for the province of Bataan.
He is a member of the Secular Franciscan Order
(SFO), the Sovereign Military Order of Malta and the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem. He was the Chief Executive Officer of the Tenth World Youth Day
held in Manila in 1995 and the Fourth World Meeting of Families in 2002.
The right side is the personal seal of the Archbishop.
The left side is the seal of the Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan.
The TAU cross is traditionally associated with Saint Francis of Assisi to whom Archbishop Soc is especially devoted. The TAU cross gained prominence as a symbol of renewal through Pope Innocent III at the opening of the Fourth Lateran Council using the words of Ezekiel 9:4, “ We are called to reform our lives; to stand in the presence of God as a holy people. God will know us by the sign of the TAU marked on our foreheads”. The TAU cross is a symbol of the lifelong fidelity of the archbishop to the passion of Christ.
On the upper right (blue) side is the letter M referring to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Mary at the foot of the Cross is a poignant picture of a mother’s love for her Son. The blue background refers to the abiding presence of Mary in his life. The diagonal line with barbed wire refers to the EDSA revolution of 1986 and 2001, historical events that have shaped the pastoral ministry of the Archbishop. It also refers to the heroic struggle of the Filipinos in Bataan during the Second World War. The white background represents his active involvement for the cause of peace.
On the lower right (red) stands the silhouette of San Carlos Borromeo, the patron of the Archdiocesan Seminary where he studied. Red is the Cardinal’s color referring to his love and esteem for the late Archbishop of Manila, His Eminence Jaime L. Cardinal Sin.
On the left side of the shield, the red wavy pile or the upper triangular position signifies the bloody Gulf of Lingayen. (The wavy lines in heraldry signify water). The gulf is bloody – Limahong and other pirates entered through it. Moro pirates made depredations in its coastal towns. The Japanese and the Americans during the Filipino- American war also entered through it.
This red portion of the shield has a star referring to the sign seen by the wise men who came to adore the Lord. (Mt. 2:2) The Church of Lingayen is dedicated to the Epiphany of the Lord.
Still on the red portion at the center is a white eagle with a halo which stands for St. John the Apostle and Evangelist. St. John is represented by an eagle because he is called the Eagle of the Patmos. In his book called Apocalypse or Revelation (written in Patmos), he soared up to the throne of God and wrote down what he saw there – who and what was around it. St. John is the patron of Dagupan.
The lower portion of the shield is a green field representing the fertile plain of Pangasinan. It is also decked with a gold rose on each corner. Rose is the symbol of Our Lady, the Mystical Rose. She is venerated in the archdiocese under three titles:
1. Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary;
2. Our Lady of Purification; and
3. Mary Help of Christians
A pallium, which is a piece of woolen cloth with crosses given by the Supreme Pontiff to Metropolitan Archbishops, wraps the shield on top and below to signify that Lingayen-Dagupan is a Metropolitan See.
The Archbishop’s motto is “PAX”, Latin for peace.
Peace is the fruit of the passion, death and resurrection of Christ (cf.John 20:19).
Peace is also the gift that every disciple must offer to the world (cf. Luke 1.0:5).
Those who make peace are assured of the heavenly inheritance for the children of God. (cf. Matthew 5:9)
Formed under a great man of peace, Cardinal Jaime Sin, and having worked at the EDSA Shrine dedicated to peace, and Bataan, the land of valor, the archbishop sets his energy, his life and his mission for the task of making peace.
Christ is our peace (cf. Ephesians 2:14). To make peace is to proclaim Christ. Christ is peace.
Manila
Manila is the capital of the Philippines. It is one of the sixteen cities forming Metro Manila.Manila is located on the eastern shores of Manila Bay and is bordered by Navotas and Caloocan to the north, Quezon City to the northeast, San Juan and Mandaluyong to the east, Makati on the southeast,...
, September 28, 1960, is a bishop
Bishop
A bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight. Within the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox Churches, in the Assyrian Church of the East, in the Independent Catholic Churches, and in the...
of the Roman Catholic Church
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
in the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
. He is the Archbishop of Lingayen-Dagupan
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan is an ecclesiastical territory or diocese of the Roman Catholic Church in the Philippines. Lingayen-Dagupan is the Archdiocese in the Province of Pangasinan, on the island of Luzon. It's cathedral is St...
in Pangasinan
Pangasinan
Pangasinan is a province of the Republic of the Philippines. The provincial capital is Lingayen. Pangasinan is located on the west central and peripheral area of the island of Luzon along the Lingayen Gulf, with the total land area being 5,368.82 square kilometers . According to the latest census,...
, Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
. He was also elected Vice President of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines
Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines
The Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines is the official organization of the Catholic episcopacy in the Philippines. Archbishop Jose S. Palma of Cebu is the current president while Archbishop Socrates B. Villegas of Lingayen-Dagupan is the current Vice President. The CBCP has 99 active...
since July 11, 2011.
Biography
Socrates B. Villegas is the youngest of the three children of Norma Jacinta Buenaventura and the late Emiliano Villegas. He attended primary education in Pateros, Metro ManilaPateros, Metro Manila
The Municipality of Pateros is a First-class municipality in Metro Manila, Philippines. This small town is famous for its duck-raising industry and especially for producing balut, a Filipino delicacy that is boiled duck egg...
, his hometown, and finished secondary education at the Colegio de San Juan de Letran
Colegio de San Juan de Letran
The Colegio de San Juan de Letran, Letran College, or simply Letran is a private Roman Catholic institution of learning located in Intramuros, Manila, in the Philippines. The college was founded in 1620. Colegio de San Juan de Letran has the distinction of being the oldest college in the...
in Manila. He studied for the priesthood and received his degree of Master of Arts in Theological Studies at San Carlos Seminary in Guadalupe, Makati City. Ordained to the priesthood by Cardinal Jaime Sin on October 5, 1985 at the Immaculate Conception Cathedral in Manila, he served as personal secretary of the Archbishop
Archbishop
An archbishop is a bishop of higher rank, but not of higher sacramental order above that of the three orders of deacon, priest , and bishop...
from his ordination
Ordination
In general religious use, ordination is the process by which individuals are consecrated, that is, set apart as clergy to perform various religious rites and ceremonies. The process and ceremonies of ordination itself varies by religion and denomination. One who is in preparation for, or who is...
until 2004. While keeping this post, he also served as rector
Rector
The word rector has a number of different meanings; it is widely used to refer to an academic, religious or political administrator...
of the EDSA Shrine
EDSA Shrine
The Shrine of Mary, Queen of Peace, Our Lady of EDSA, or more popularly, the EDSA Shrine is a small church of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Manila located at the intersection of Ortigas Avenue and Epifanio de los Santos Avenue in Quezon City...
and Vicar general
Vicar general
A vicar general is the principal deputy of the bishop of a diocese for the exercise of administrative authority. As vicar of the bishop, the vicar general exercises the bishop's ordinary executive power over the entire diocese and, thus, is the highest official in a diocese or other particular...
of the archdiocese.
Pope John Paul II
Pope John Paul II
Blessed Pope John Paul II , born Karol Józef Wojtyła , reigned as Pope of the Catholic Church and Sovereign of Vatican City from 16 October 1978 until his death on 2 April 2005, at of age. His was the second-longest documented pontificate, which lasted ; only Pope Pius IX ...
appointed him auxiliary bishop of Manila on July 25, 2001. He received the episcopal ordination from Cardinal Jaime Sin on August 31, 2001.
He was installed as the third Bishop of Balanga
Roman Catholic Diocese of Balanga
The Diocese of Balanga is one of the 72 ecclesiastical territories called dioceses of the Roman Catholic Church in the Philippines. It comprises the whole province of Bataan. It was established on March 17, 1975, appointing the Most Rev. Celso Guevarra as the first Bishop on June 4, 1975. On July...
on July 3, 2004 and convoked the First Diocesan Synod
Synod
A synod historically is a council of a church, usually convened to decide an issue of doctrine, administration or application. In modern usage, the word often refers to the governing body of a particular church, whether its members are meeting or not...
in 2006. He also founded the St. Joseph's College of Balanga.
On September 8, 2009, Pope Benedict XVI
Pope Benedict XVI
Benedict XVI is the 265th and current Pope, by virtue of his office of Bishop of Rome, the Sovereign of the Vatican City State and the leader of the Catholic Church as well as the other 22 sui iuris Eastern Catholic Churches in full communion with the Holy See...
appointed him Archbishop of Lingayen-Dagupan.
Activity
Archbishop Villegas is currently the Chairman of the Episcopal Commission on Catechesis and Catholic Education of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines and President of the Asia-Oceania Mariological Society.Pope Benedict XVI
Pope Benedict XVI
Benedict XVI is the 265th and current Pope, by virtue of his office of Bishop of Rome, the Sovereign of the Vatican City State and the leader of the Catholic Church as well as the other 22 sui iuris Eastern Catholic Churches in full communion with the Holy See...
appointed him member of the Presidential Committee of the Pontifical Council for the Family
Pontifical Council for the Family
The Pontifical Council for the Family is part of the Curia of the Roman Catholic Church. It was established by Pope John Paul II on 9 May 1981 with his motu proprio Familia a Deo Instituta, replacing the Committee for the Family that Pope Paul VI had established in 1973...
on September 30, 2009.
He has written and published six books of homilies and spiritual reflections. He was awarded the 1994 Catholic Authors’ Award and the Ten Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) of the Philippines in the year 2000. The Bataan Peninsula State University
Bataan Peninsula State University
Bataan Peninsula State University is the first and only state university in the province of Bataan of the Philippines.-History:The Bataan Peninsula State University was established by Republic Act 9403 which was signed into law on 22nd of March 2007....
bestowed on him the Degree of Doctor of Humanities honoris causa in recognition and appreciation of his work for the province of Bataan.
He is a member of the Secular Franciscan Order
Secular Franciscan Order
thumb|rigth|Lapel pin of Secular Franciscan Order.The Secular Franciscan Order is a community of Catholic men and women, of any of the Rites in communion with Rome , in the world who seek to pattern their lives after Christ in the spirit of St. Francis of Assisi. Secular Franciscans are...
(SFO), the Sovereign Military Order of Malta and the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem. He was the Chief Executive Officer of the Tenth World Youth Day
World Youth Day
World Youth Day is a youth-oriented Catholic Church event. While the event itself celebrates the Catholic faith, the invitation to attend extends to all youth, regardless of religious convictions....
held in Manila in 1995 and the Fourth World Meeting of Families in 2002.
Coat of arms
The two sides of the coat of arms are divided by a TAU cross in the middle.The right side is the personal seal of the Archbishop.
The left side is the seal of the Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan.
The TAU cross is traditionally associated with Saint Francis of Assisi to whom Archbishop Soc is especially devoted. The TAU cross gained prominence as a symbol of renewal through Pope Innocent III at the opening of the Fourth Lateran Council using the words of Ezekiel 9:4, “ We are called to reform our lives; to stand in the presence of God as a holy people. God will know us by the sign of the TAU marked on our foreheads”. The TAU cross is a symbol of the lifelong fidelity of the archbishop to the passion of Christ.
On the upper right (blue) side is the letter M referring to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Mary at the foot of the Cross is a poignant picture of a mother’s love for her Son. The blue background refers to the abiding presence of Mary in his life. The diagonal line with barbed wire refers to the EDSA revolution of 1986 and 2001, historical events that have shaped the pastoral ministry of the Archbishop. It also refers to the heroic struggle of the Filipinos in Bataan during the Second World War. The white background represents his active involvement for the cause of peace.
On the lower right (red) stands the silhouette of San Carlos Borromeo, the patron of the Archdiocesan Seminary where he studied. Red is the Cardinal’s color referring to his love and esteem for the late Archbishop of Manila, His Eminence Jaime L. Cardinal Sin.
On the left side of the shield, the red wavy pile or the upper triangular position signifies the bloody Gulf of Lingayen. (The wavy lines in heraldry signify water). The gulf is bloody – Limahong and other pirates entered through it. Moro pirates made depredations in its coastal towns. The Japanese and the Americans during the Filipino- American war also entered through it.
This red portion of the shield has a star referring to the sign seen by the wise men who came to adore the Lord. (Mt. 2:2) The Church of Lingayen is dedicated to the Epiphany of the Lord.
Still on the red portion at the center is a white eagle with a halo which stands for St. John the Apostle and Evangelist. St. John is represented by an eagle because he is called the Eagle of the Patmos. In his book called Apocalypse or Revelation (written in Patmos), he soared up to the throne of God and wrote down what he saw there – who and what was around it. St. John is the patron of Dagupan.
The lower portion of the shield is a green field representing the fertile plain of Pangasinan. It is also decked with a gold rose on each corner. Rose is the symbol of Our Lady, the Mystical Rose. She is venerated in the archdiocese under three titles:
1. Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary;
2. Our Lady of Purification; and
3. Mary Help of Christians
A pallium, which is a piece of woolen cloth with crosses given by the Supreme Pontiff to Metropolitan Archbishops, wraps the shield on top and below to signify that Lingayen-Dagupan is a Metropolitan See.
The Archbishop’s motto is “PAX”, Latin for peace.
Peace is the fruit of the passion, death and resurrection of Christ (cf.John 20:19).
Peace is also the gift that every disciple must offer to the world (cf. Luke 1.0:5).
Those who make peace are assured of the heavenly inheritance for the children of God. (cf. Matthew 5:9)
Formed under a great man of peace, Cardinal Jaime Sin, and having worked at the EDSA Shrine dedicated to peace, and Bataan, the land of valor, the archbishop sets his energy, his life and his mission for the task of making peace.
Christ is our peace (cf. Ephesians 2:14). To make peace is to proclaim Christ. Christ is peace.