By Frejane Rose A.Cruz/Contributor

BAGUIO CITY –His Excellency Most Rev. Rafael T. Cruz, D.D., is now officially installed as new Bishop of Baguio City, during the solemn canonical ceremony today, Sept. 17, 2024 at the Baguio Cathedral of Our Lady of Atonement.

Most. Rev. Cruz will be the third bishop of the Diocese of Baguio after the late Bishop Carlito J. Cenzon and Bishop Victor Bendico –

The historic occasion was attended by city officials led by Mayor Benjamin Magalong, officials from Benguet and religious groups.

Magalong and Vice Mayor Faustino Olowan also formally handed over the City Resolution No. 510 series of 2024 with the title “Welcoming Most Reverend Rafael T. Cruz as the 3rd Bishop of the Diocese of Baguio City.

The province of Benguet also delivered their 106th Regular Meeting of the 11th Sanggunian Board Resolution with the title “Welcomingthe Most Rev. Rafael Tamboan Cruz, DD, as the new Bishop of the Diocese of Baguio which is comprised of the Ecclesiastical jurisdiction of the province of Benguet and City of Baguio.

Bishop Cruz, who was born on March 12, 1960 in Mapandan, Pangasinan, became the Parish Priest of St. Ildephonse Parish in Poblacion, Malasiqui, Pangasinan and a priest of the Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan.

He was ordained to the Sacred Order of Presbyters on September 8,1985 and has served in numerous ministries and serves the people in various capacities as member of the Presbyteral Council, member of the permanent committee for the Protection of Minors,Vicar Forane, and as an invited lecturer to the Mary Help of Christian Theology Seminary in San Fabian,Pangasinan, Immaculate Conception School of Theology in Vigan City,Ilocos Sur , and Recoletos Theology Seminary in Mira Nila,Quezon City.

Bishop Cruz was appointed by Holy Father Pope Francis, as Bishop of the Diocese of Baguio on June 20, 2024, in place of MonsignorVictor Bendico.

He was officially ordained as Bishop of Baguio City on September 7, 2024 at the Our Lady of Atonement, known as Baguio Cathedral.