In photos: Archbishop Clovis Thibault, D.D., Archbishop Antonio Mabutas, D.D., and Archbishop Fernando Capalla In photos: Archbishop Clovis Thibault, D.D., Archbishop Antonio Mabutas, D.D., and Archbishop Fernando Capalla

The Legacy of the Davao Archbishops

Our first Archbishop was Most Rev. Clovis Thibault, P.M.E., D.D., followed by Most Rev. Antonio Ll. Mabutas, D.D. and Most Rev. Fernando R. Capalla, D.D. Last January, was the first death anniversary of Archbishop Fernando Capalla. A Bishop has a choice: to be buried in his hometown or in the Diocese where he was appointed.

When I attended the burial of Bishop Thibault, I saw his sister and some relatives who came from Canada. I recalled my mother telling me that Bishop Thibault, who had a serious asthma problem, wants to stay here. Msgr. Maurice Michael P.M.E. also said that despite the leadings of his family and the P.M.E. to return to Canada. Bishop Thibault said, “No, I want to die here.”

His legal adviser was Atty. Manuel Cabaguio. Later, when Bishop Thibault and Atty. Cabaguio died, the successor, Bishop Mabutas asked Atty. Lozano to be his legal adviser. Atty. Lozano in turn asked me to help him. When Atty. Lozano died, Bishop Mabutas asked me to stay.

Bishop Mabutas became sickly, I visited him at the San Pedro hospital. I met some priests and nuns from Ilocos Sur in one of my visits. I said, “How nice of them to come all the way from Luzon.” His answer, “Jesus, they want me to return to the Diocese of Vigan, and stay in the Seminary where I used to be the rector.” Then he said, “I told them, no, I want to be buried here.” I was blessed because his successor, Bishop Capalla, asked me to stay. He made me teach Political Science in the St. Francis Xavier College Seminary (2006-2019), appointed me trustee of the St. Francis Xavier College Seminary, and trustee of the Verbum Dei Media Foundation, Inc. which operates the Davao Catholic Herald newspaper and the DXGN 89.9 Spirit FM radio station, both with social media platforms.

In 2009, he nominated me with 13 others to be conferred the honor of “Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice”. Archbishop Capalla and Iligan City Alim Mutila made me a member of the Mindanao Bishops Ulama Foundation, the first of its kind, with the purpose of bringing peace and understanding in Mindanao. I was the only member who was not a Bishop or an Alim. For all this, I am very grateful to Archbishop Capalla.

When he retired, I visited him at his house adjacent to the St. Francis Xavier College Seminary building. In one of my visits, he introduced his visitors; priests and nuns from Jaro, Iloilo. When the visitors left, he said, “Jesus, they want me to retire in the Jaro College Seminary where I used to be a rector. But I said, I want to die and be buried here.”

During the January 6th death anniversary mass, I recalled the events. That day, I was high, I had such a wonderful feeling, thinking about Bishops Thibault, Mabutas, and Capalla, and how they so loved the faithful people of Davao that they just couldn’t leave. We Dabawenyos are very blessed to have such good and loving Archbishops.

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