Antipolo’s 1st bishop-son ordained

On the feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Sept. 8, the Diocese of Antipolo rejoiced at the ordination of its first bishop-son, Nolly Camingue, Buco, 54, who was recently appointed its auxiliary bishop.

Bishops, members of the Antipolo clergy, and the faithful gathered at the Immaculate Conception Parish – National Shrine of Our Lady of Peace & Good Voyage in this city to witness the diocese’s first episcopal ordination after 35 years as a local Church.

On a continuous journey

In his homily for the celebration, Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle noted how Buco has “come a long way in his journey,” not only in ministry, but also in life. Born in Baganga, Davao Oriental, Buco spent his childhood years in San Francisco, Southern Leyte, where he would respond to a call to the priesthood. Entering the Sacred Heart Seminary in Palo, Leyte, he finished his philosophical formation and worked for a few years at the Department of Social Welfare and Development. His experience with the DSWD led him to the Rizal province. He pursued his theological formation at the Immaculate Conception Major Seminary in Bulacan in 1993 and was ordained the same year.

From there, Buco finished his licentiate in canon law at the University of Sto. Tomas (UST), Manila in 1999, his master’s degree in theology at ICMAS in 2002, units in anthropology at the University of the Philippines in 2003, his doctorate in canon law from UST in 2004, and is presently taking up a Doctor of Jurisprudence Sciences degree at San Beda University.

Humble like Mary

Despite his various academic and pastoral achievements, Tagle reminded Buco that, “Pride destroyed leaders. Humility sustains leaders. Proud leaders are bound to fail.”

He also noted the bishop’s deep devotion to the Blessed Mother, saying: “It is a wonderful blessing that we did the ordination in this historic place, the National Shrine of Nuestra Señora de la Paz y Buen Viaje (Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage). In his years in the ministry, Bishop Buco always sought the help of Mary. He would be one of the people sitting among the faithful, looking on Mary here in this shrine.” Tagle expressed this as a sure sign of the fidelity that the bishop would always hold onto.

In his message, Papal Nuncio Gabrielle Giordano Caccia also linked Buco with the Blessed Virgin, saying: “Today, with the celebration of the Nativity of Mary, we witness the nativity of a bishop”. He further said, “Bishop Buco’s appointment is a grace of God. May you imitate Mary, who is humble and willing to give herself at the service of her Son.”

Meanwhile, in his thanksgiving message, Buco said, “I entrust my ministry to our Blessed Mother. May I always be her devoted son.”

New appointment

In light of his elevation to the episcopate, De Leon appointed Buco as the diocese’ new vicar general as per his announcement of new appointments dated Sept. 9, 2018. Buco is currently parish priest of Our Lady of Light Parish in Cainta, Rizal, whose image of Nuestra Señora de la Luz (Our Lady of Light) is awaiting its canonical coronation on Dec. 1.