Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma will be turning 65 on Thursday, but expect no festive celebration.
The archbishop of the archdiocese of Cebu will spend his birthday with the poor.
Palma said that he thought it best to give whatever he receives on his birthday to the poor.
“On a personal note, I said to myself, I’m always celebrating birthdays. And since this is the year of the poor, I will not celebrate my birthday. I will spend the day in prayer. Many poor have no way to celebrate their birthday, at least, whatever allotted for the celebration will be given to the poor,” he said.
On Thursday which is marked as the Solemnity of St. Joseph, husband of Mary and patron of the universal church, Palma said he will go to Marinduque (where Archbishop Emeritus Cardinal Vidal hails) for the installation of the new bishop.
A native of Dingle, Iloilo, Palma received his priestly orders in August 21, 1976. His first assignment was as assistant priest at the Jaro Cathedral. He served as archbishop of the Palo Archdiocese from 2007 to 2011. In January 2011, Pope Benedict XVI appointed him to lead the Archdiocese of Cebu, replacing Ricardo Cardinal Vidal who retired after serving the archdiocese for 29 years.