ON November 20, 2024, my wife Yolly and I had the immense joy and gratitude of attending a 6 AM concelebrated Mass at the Holy Family Chapel in the Bishop’s Residence in Bagacay, Dumaguete City. Archbishop Ryan Jimenez was the main celebrant, joined by Bishop Julito Cortes, Rev. Msgr. Robert Bongoyan (Dumaguete Cathedral Parish Priest), Rev. Fr. Hendrix Alar, Rev. Fr. Bryan Ligutom, Rev. Fr. Jonathan Igos, and Rev. Fr. Nguyen Thanh Vinh.
Bishop Cortes expressed deep appreciation for Archbishop Jimenez’s visit, particularly noting their shared roots from Siquijor and their special connection, as Archbishop Ryan had once been a student of his at St. Joseph Seminary High School.
The heartfelt words of gratitude were a beautiful testament to the bond between mentor and former pupil.
Archbishop Ryan Jimenez, who was appointed Metropolitan Archbishop of Agaña, Guam, by Pope Francis on July 6, 2024, was installed as the ninth ordinary and fourth metropolitan archbishop of the region on August 15, 2024.
Before his appointment, Archbishop Jimenez served as the Bishop of Chalan Kanoa in the Northern Mariana Islands, where he had been instrumental in various outreach efforts, including advocating for marginalized communities and pursuing further education to better understand and serve the needs of the LGBT and migrant populations.
His service to the Pacific Islands extended to his role as president of the Episcopal Conference of the Pacific (CEPAC) and vice president of the Federation of Catholic Bishops Conferences of Oceania (FCBCO).
A proud Dumagueteño, Archbishop Jimenez was born in Dumaguete City on December 18, 1971. He grew up in Larena, Siquijor, and later studied at Saint Joseph Seminary and Ateneo de Manila University.
His diverse experiences, from teaching and community organizing in the Philippines to being consecrated as bishop in the Northern Marianas, have shaped his compassionate leadership and advocacy for social justice.
Archbishop Jimenez, who is just 53 years old, stands as a young and dynamic leader in the Church. His rapid rise to the archbishopric, just eight years after his ordination as bishop, suggests that he may well be a candidate for even greater roles within the Universal Church in the future, perhaps even a cardinal or pope. This potential gives us even more reason to take pride in his roots in Dumaguete and Siquijor.
During his homily, Archbishop Jimenez emphasized the importance of transparency and accountability in the ordained ministry, drawing on the message from the Gospel of Luke 19:11-28.
The parable of the nobleman who entrusted his servants with gold coins, expecting them to make them grow, was a powerful reminder to use our gifts wisely.
“We all have gifts to share,” Archbishop Jimenez challenged the congregation. “How are we using our gifts? Are we sharing them with others, or do we hoard them?”
His call for stewardship of our talents resonated deeply, aligning with his broader advocacy for good governance in the Church and his commitment to serving the most vulnerable.
A former community organizer and teacher, Archbishop Jimenez is particularly passionate about the well-being of the youth, the marginalized, and seminarians.
As Archbishop Ryan continues to lead the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Agaña, let us pray for his guidance and strength. May he inspire us all to live out our Catholic faith with transparency, accountability, and a deep commitment to serving others.
