Archbishop Rolando Tria Tirona of Caceres during Thanksgiving Mass for his 75th birthday at the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Naga City. SCREENSHOT/ARCHDIOCESE OF CACERES
By CBCP News
July 23, 2021
Manila, Philippines
After nearly nine years of shepherding the Caceres archdiocese, Archbishop Rolando Tria Tirona turned 75 on Thursday, the mandatory retirement age for bishops.
Under the canon law, bishops must submit resignation letters to the pope when they turn 75. The letter would set forth the process by the Vatican to find his successor.
But it doesn’t immediately change Tirona’s leadership role in the archdiocese. Pope Francis may accept his retirement or ask him to remain in place for a time.
He celebrated his birthday with a Thanksgiving Mass at the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church located inside the Carmelite Monastery in Naga City.
He was joined by Bishop Rex Andrew Alarcon of Daet, some priests and the community of consecrated persons in the archdiocese.
The archbishop also took the occasion to thank those who supported and prayed for him throughout his ministry.
“At the end of the day, at the end of our lives, our treasure is our friends who journey with us day by day,” Tirona said.
“And that is one cherished blessing I’m truly grateful for that I have wonderful friends remembering me, praying for me, encouraging me in my life and in my ministry,” he added.
Born in Cavite province’s Kawit town, Tirona was ordained a priest of the Order of Discalced Carmelite (OCD) in Rome on April 21, 1974.
In 1994, he was appointed auxiliary bishop of Manila, a post he served until he was named bishop of Malolos in 1996.
Tirona was transferred to the Prelature of Infanta in 2003 and served the area until 2012 when he was appointed archbishop of Caceres.
He has been a priest for 47 years and a bishop for 26 years.
At the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, he formerly chaired at least three Commissions: Youth, Biblical Apostolate, and Social Action.
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