A Batangueño who loves Davao

Fr. Randy Vergara, originally from San Jose, Batangas, has been a dedicated member of the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament for over 20 years. Since 2011, he has been serving in Davao and has developed a deep connection with the community, which he now considers his home with good people. This strong bond led Fr. Randy to seek permission to leave from his congregation and join the Fraternity of the Diocesan Clergy of Davao (FDCD).

On May 14, 2024, Fr. Randy officially swore before the Archbishop of Davao, Most Rev. Romulo G. Valles, D.D. his Auxiliary, Most Rev. George B. Rimando, D.D. and the clergy of Davao. He was formally accepted as a member of the FDCD, marking a significant milestone in his ministry.

During his interview, he said, “It is with joy that I was formally accepted into the Fraternity of the Diocesan Clergy of Davao.” He also thanked the two bishops, together with the priests and people of Davao, for welcoming him.

When a priest intends to leave his congregation and join another, the process is often lengthy and drawn-out. First and foremost, the superior will issue an excardination of the priest from the congregation. After that, he will go through the procedure of incardination to become a member of the diocese, by being with the diocese as resident priest and being assigned in assisting in some pastoral responsibilities in the parish among other formalities. The priest goes through the Diocesan program of admission. The diocesan curia evaluates him after two to three years of exposure to the diocese, and the bishop then confirms the incardination into the diocese. As to Fr. Randy’s request, he waited for roughly two years.

Fr. Randy is currently serving as the Parochial Vicar at St. Jude Thaddeus Shrine Parish and as chaplain of Davao Medical School Foundation, both in the hospital and the school, where he continues to dedicate himself to the community with tireless compassion and commitment. (Jeralyn Babet Adegue Palero | St. Jude Thaddeus Shrine Parish SocCom)