The changing of stuff from Leo to Leo

The long wait is ended. The Diocese of Tagbilaran now has a bishop in the person of Most. Rev. Leonardo Y. Medroso who until his assignment here was the Bishop of Borongan, Eastern Samar. The Diocese of Tagbilaran was without a bishop since last year after Bishop Leo Tumulak was assigned as Bishop of the Military Ordinariate. However in the absence of an appointed bishop to take care of the Boholano flock, Bishop Tumulak continued to administer the diocese that he has nurtured in the love of God with the care and stuff of an exemplary shepherd.

Bishop Tumulak was known for his soft spoken personality that is filled with warmth. He was firm though with his stand on issues that affect his personal convictions. He was also well loved for his support and collaboration with government especially on the efforts to seek genuine and lasting peace. I have worked closely with Bishop Tumulak and I knew him to approach problems armed with the ways and practices of the people more than what the book says on them. He gave weight to what works on the ground more than what formal structures and organizations would dictate. And for that he earned the respect and loyalty not only of those who work with him but also the people whom he served. Bishop Tumulak is a person who would always listen first before acting or saying something on matters being brought to him. And for that his decisions have been regarded always as well balanced and well thought of.

Bishop Tumulak works without fanfare. I knew this in the short while that I worked with him especially in his efforts to help resolve the insurgency problem. His contribution to the peace efforts in Bohol went as far as reaching out to the insurgents to embrace peaceful means in looking for solutions to conflict. He chaired the Bohol Local Pace Forum, a multi sectoral group created to broker for peace during the Presidency of Erap Estrada and long after Erap was gone until his relief as Bishop of the Diocese of Tagbilaran. I will miss him. The Diocese of Tagbilaran will miss him. The Boholanos will miss him. But we all are consoled by the fact that at the Military Ordinariate, a man of peace and a caring shepherd will be there to lead and love them the way he led and loved the Boholanos.

On the other hand, under the new shepherd, Bishop Leonardo Y. Medroso, is not expected to be like Bishop Tumulak because he is a different person with a different orientation. But It will not be difficult for those who will work with him to make the adjustment. Hearing him speak, it is unmistakable that he is as passionate about his mission as Bishop Tumulak. There is no reason therefore to think that the Diocese of Tagbilaran will have a new direction under Bishop Medroso. As he said in his response during the testimonial dinner tendered by the provincial government of Bohol last Wednesday, “I come here to see how the faith is lived and expressed in a Boholano way so that I too could live and express the Christian faith in a Boholano way.”