Cebu Archbishop Alberto "Abet" Uy announced that the public can expect grand celebrations for the centennial of the local church and a possible visit from the Pope.
Archdiocese Marks 92nd Anniversary
The Archdiocese of Cebu celebrated its 92nd anniversary on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, since becoming an archdiocese. "Can you imagine a hundred years of grace? This is more than just a celebration," Uy said during a press conference on Tuesday, April 28, hours before delivering his State of the Archdiocese Address.
Hope for Papal Visit
The archbishop shared his hopes that Pope Leo XIV might attend the centennial celebration in 2034 or earlier. He also prayed for the beatification of Bishop Teofilo Camomot alongside the papal visit. Uy noted that the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) has been sending invitations to the Pope to visit the country.
He described the invitation as an "open invitation," allowing the Pope to decide when he wishes to visit. "It is an open invitation so that we give him the freedom to choose the right time for his visit to Cebu," the archbishop explained.
Preparations for 2034
For the jubilee year in 2034, Uy acknowledged that the Coordinating Council for Synodal Transformation (C-COST) has not yet detailed plans for the years leading up to 2034. According to the archbishop, C-COST is the core group composed of clergy and lay leaders tasked with planning, implementing, and evaluating parish programs. They will prepare the programs for 2034.
Uy clarified that the grand celebration does not mean extravagant entertainment. Rather, "grand" refers to the full participation of the Archdiocese, especially the public. "By that time, we pray that the Archdiocese of Cebu becomes a fully alive church," Uy said.
