By Leslie Ann G. Aquino
The first Filipino to be named auxiliary bishop in the United States, Bishop Oscar Azarcon Solis is set to arrive in the country on August 8, Sunday, for a series of activities.
Bishop Solis is arriving at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in Pasay City, at exactly 5 a.m., on Sunday from Los Angeles, California..
The bishop’s name became popular last year after Pope John Paul II appointed him as auxiliary bishop of Los Angeles and later ordained as bishop by Cardinal Roger Mahoney last February.
As auxiliary bishop of LA where most Filipino Catholics are residing, he is tasked to be the coordinator of the Archdiocesan Ethnic Ministries.
An officer from the Archdiocese of Manila yesterday revealed that the bishop’s visit here in the country will include various activities such as being the mass presider on August 11, at the Manila Cathedral in the presence of Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Rosales, the Manila clergy and the faithful.
He is also scheduled to visit the Diocese of San Jose where he was a resident and his alma mater both in Manila and in Nueva Ecija.
His visit will also serve as a way of renewing the bishop’s ties with his homeland and his fellow priests.
The bishop was ordained to the priesthood on April 28, 1979.
As a priest, he served the Diocese of Cabanatuan as rector of the college and high school seminary of the Maria Assumpta Seminary.
In 1984, he moved to the US first ministering in New Jersey and then in the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux and Louisiana.
He also became dean of the Upper Lafaourche Deanery and is also a member of the Diocesan Priests Council.
Bishop Solis will be staying in the country for three weeks, to also attend the celebration of Archbishop Rosales’ 72nd birthday on August 10.
