LUCENA CITY, Quezon -- Bishop Edwin Panergo of Boac was ordained to the episcopate on Monday, December 1 pledging to lead the Church in a spirit of synodality as he steps into his new and demanding pastoral role.
Speaking for the first time as bishop, Panergo said his episcopal motto, “Synodus,” reflects not only a theme but a conviction formed through lived experience. “I have already experienced synodality in my life,” he told the congregation, emphasizing that true synodality is “not just about friendship,” but a shared journey that ultimately “leads to Christ.”
Using the image of grapes that bear fruit only when connected to the vine, he explained that synodality requires deep communion. He also recalled learning vine pruning during his time in France—an art that demands careful cutting, balance, and discernment to nurture healthy growth. In the same way, pastoral decisions, he said, must be made through thoughtful and discerning leadership.
Panergo outlined four criteria for discernment: decisions must be God-centered, human-centered, creation-friendly, and Church-serving, ensuring that the process respects faith, community, creation, and mission.
“People of Boac, let us journey together. I cannot do the discernment alone,” he said emotionally, stressing that synodality is the shared responsibility of the entire community. He added that genuine synodality requires shared sacrifice. “It is not only the priest who must sacrifice, but all of us,” he said, comparing it to grapes pressed together to make wine. “Synodality is not true synodality if only the leader sacrifices. It is real when we all sacrifice together.”
The ordination took place at St. Ferdinand Cathedral in Lucena City, where bishops, priests, religious, and lay faithful from Quezon, Marinduque, and nearby dioceses gathered for the historic moment.
The 54-year-old prelate was ordained bishop by Archbishop Gilbert Garcera of Lipa, president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, who served as principal consecrator. Bishop Mel Rey Uy of Lucena and retired Bishop Emilio Marquez acted as co-consecrators.
In his homily, Bishop Marcelino Antonio Maralit of San Pablo, Panergo’s predecessor in Boac, described the synodal path as a “true blessing,” one that calls everyone—including bishops—to listen first to God and then to one another. “It truly makes the life of a bishop much easier if we could journey with our people, with our brother priests—when we learn to listen to them, when we learn from their wisdom, when we are inspired by their passion and commitment to service,” he said.
Panergo becomes the eighth priest from the Diocese of Lucena elevated to the College of Bishops, a milestone that coincides with the diocese’s 75th founding anniversary.
He will be formally installed as the fifth bishop of Boac during a Mass at the Immaculate Conception Cathedral at 9 a.m. on December 2. -- Marinduquenews.com
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