Palma to join Pope in Myanmar
Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma will fly to Myanmar this month to join Pope Francis’ apostolic visit to the country.
The trip will be from November 27 to 30.
"I am leaving for Myanmar on the occasion of the visit of the Holy Father (Pope Francis). The former papal legate Cardinal Charles Maung Bo has sent a personal invitation," Palma said.
Bo, the state’s first Catholic cardinal, is the current archbishop of Yangon.
"It’s like I join the mission as (an) invited (delegate) by Charles Maung Bo," Palma added.
From Myanmar, Pope Francis will proceed to neighboring Bangladesh.
Palma said that if given the chance, he will discuss with the Pope ongoing efforts to beatify Archbishop Teofilo Camomot, a candidate for sainthood.
"If there is an occasion... we will see because we know we have a very probable and feasible candidate, very popular and loving," Palma said.
At this point, the process is at the level of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints through the current Prefect, Cardinal Angelo Amato.
"We will see... sometimes, if they talk of certain things, you just join in the conversation but we will see what we can do," Palma said.
VIDAL’S 40TH
Because he will be out of the country, Palma will miss the 40th day of the death of the late Ricardo Cardinal Vidal or the socalled "kuwarenta diyas."
"I leave (from Cebu) on the 25th (in going to Myanmar) so I could not be here on the 26th," Palma said.
He said he has formed a committee to take charge of the “kuwarenta diyas” activities.
"We have planned it already. We already had a meeting... we have decided that on November 26, on a Monday, there will be a celebration," Palma said.
"There will be a very fitting celebration to give acclaim on the 40th day from the death of His Eminence," he said.
Leading to the closing ceremony on the 40th day of Vidal's death, a novena Requiem Mass or nine-day Mass will be celebrated at the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral.