The Itinerants Path

Bishop Rolumulo Tolentiono Dela Cruz, DD was just installed as the fifth Bishop of the Diocese of Kidapawan. After Bishop Romulo Valles, DD was transferred to Zamboanga to be its Archbishop in January 2007, the Cathedra was vacant for a while until Pope Benidect XIV appointed him as the new shepherd of his flock of the Diocese.

The installation of the new Bishop was attended by the Papal Nuncio in the Philippines, Most Rev. Archbishop Edward Adams, DD together with his Secretary, Msgr. Giorgio Chezza while Archbishop Orlando Quevedo, OMI, DD as the installing  prelate. It was held at Our Lady of Mediatrix of All Grace Cathedral here in Kidapawan City.

During the installation, Bishop Dela Cruz was received at the doors of the Cathedral by Frs. Charles Allan Nemenzo, Gerry Tacdoro, Rey Salvador and Armando Angeles, the Cathedral Administrator. The new Bishop was led to his Cathedra by Archbishop Quevedo and was given the miter and crozier as a sign of entrusting to him the pastoral care of the Diocese.

The celebration was also attended by other Bishops and priests from neighboring dioceses, Religious Brothers and Sisters, Nuns of Poor Claire and Lay people from different Parishes. The Governor of the Province of Cotabato together with the Mayor of Kidapawan City and Tulunan.

Bishop Romulo Tolentino Dela Cruz, DD was born in Balasan, Iloilo. He studied from first year to third year high school at Notre Dame of Kidapawan College and finished it at Notre Dame Seminary in Cotabato City. He was ordained as priest in 1972 in Kidapawan City and to episcopacy in 1988 in Cotabato City. He was assigned as a newly ordained priest for two months in Tulunan Parish before he became the Assitsant Rector of Notre Dame Seminary and finally became the Rector from 1976 to 1981. He was also assigned as Parish Priest of Nuestra Senora dela Candelaria in Tacurong City from 1975 to 1976. He was assigned as Coadjutor Bishop and Prelate Ordiary of Prelature of Isabela in Basilan from 1988 to 1989. In 2001, he was transferred to the Diocese of Antique as the Coadjutor Bishop then elevated to Bishop Ordinary. Today he is now the new Bishop Ordinary of the Diocese of Kidapawan with his motto: “Crescere in Plebem Suam” while Msgr. Armando Angeles, DCK as his Vicar.