Silliman University, the first protestant school in the Philippines founded by American missionaries in 1901, celebrates its 113rd anniversary with another historical first: an alumnus has been ordained as a bishop of the Roman Catholic Church.
Msgr. Patrick Daniel Yee Parcon was ordained Bishop Friday at the San Carlos Borromeo Cathedral in San Carlos City, Negros Occidental.
He will be installed as bishop of Talibon, Bohol on Aug. 26 at the Holy Trinity Cathedral there.
Mark Garcia, director of the SU Office of Information & Publications, said that while the Univerisity doesn’t have a statement about it, Parcon’s ordination is included in the schedule of activities for this year’s Founder’s Day celebration.
Born in Vallehermoso, Negros Oriental, Parcon grew up in Canlaon City, and went to Silliman University for his high school (1979), and his Bachelor of Science in Chemistry (1983).
He then entered the St. Joseph Seminary in Sibulan, Negros Oriental for his Philosophy degree, and the St. Joseph Regional Seminary in Iloilo City for his theological formation. He was ordained to the priesthood in 1994.
He obtained his master’s degree in Religion & Religious Education with core specialization in Christian Spirituality from Fordham University in New York City.
Parcon was vicar general of the Diocese of San Carlos, and rector of San Carlos Borromeo Cathedral at the time the Pope named him bishop-elect of Talibon in June.
Papal Nuncio Giuseppe Pinto represented the Pope at the ordination rites.
