Newly consecrated Bishop Rufino "Jun" Sescon" Jr. reminded the Catholic faithful to continue remembering the spirit of EDSA People Power Revolution. Sescon, the 5th bishop of Balanga, was ordained a bishop on the 29th anniversary of the bloodless revolution that toppled the dictatorship of Ferdinand Marcos Sr. Screenshot from the the Manila Cathedral Facebook page. 

MANILA - Rev. Fr. Rufino "Jun" Sescon Jr., the former secretary of the late Jaime Cardinal Sin, is now a bishop.

Sescon, who is also the former rector of the Minor Basilica and National Shrine of Nuestro Padre Jesus Nazareno, was consecrated as bishop on Wednesday, February 25, at the Manila Cathedral.

Pope Francis chose the 52-year-old Sescon as the new bishop of the Diocese of Balanga in Bataan.

The ordination coincided with the commemoration of the 39th anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution that toppled the dictatorship of Ferdinand Marcos Sr.

In his message after his ordination, Sescon made sure to honor Cardinal Sin, who was one of the key figures in the four-day peaceful revolution.

"Ang tunay na maka-Diyos ay makabayan din," Sescon said in the same cathedral where his mentor once served.

"I thank the Lord for Jaime Cardinal Sin -- priest, prophet, and patriot, one of the valiant heroes of EDSA."

The newly-consecrated bishop also urged the gathered Catholic faithful to continue commemorating the People Power Revolution and reminded them that a good Christian must always uphold justice and peace.

"Today I received the grace of the episcopate on the occasion of the 39th anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution as a form of prayer for generosity that I may never forget, that we may never forget," Sescon said.

"I pray that we may never forget that to be a good Christian, a good priest, a good bishop, is also to give ourselves to become a good citizen vigilant to truth, justice, integrity, freedom, and peace."

Sescon also recognized Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas, who was the principal consecrator in the ordination.

Villegas was Sescon's predecessor as Cardinal Sin's secretary. 

"My other kuya, mentor, sojourner, friend, Archbishop Socrates Villegas, I will be forever grateful," Sescon said.

"My thanksgiving does not end today because we will still continue our journey together, this time as a father and son. We were brothers with Cardinal Sin. Now you take his place also as my father. Please do not take of your eyes from me as I make my baby bishop's steps."

Incidentally, Villegas also served as Balanga bishop before he was appointed archbishop of Lingayen-Dagupan.

Meanwhile, in his homily, Manila Archbishop Jose Cardinal Advincula also paid homage to Cardinal Sin, who was his former teacher.

Advincula underscored EDSA People Power Revolution as an important part of Philippine history as well as his predecessor, Cardinal Sin.

"We cannot retell our story as a people without the EDSA people power of 1986 and our history as a Catholic nation, without the voice of EDSA, Jaime Cardinal Sin," Advincula said.

"Indeed, we are standing as grateful and proud descendants of heroes and witnesses. It is our holy pride. We are proud of this heritage."

In the same spirit of EDSA, Advincula also told Sescon to be courageous as he takes on the helm as chief pastor of the Diocese of Balanga.

"Take courage Bishop Jun. Bataan is a peninsula of courage and valor. Let the Dambana ng Kagitingan at Mount Samat teach you to be a fearless preacher of the Gospel in season and out of season, in war and in peace," the cardinal said. 

"We know in our hearts that dear Cardinal Sin looks down from heaven’s windows and beams with beatific delight."

The Diocese of Balanga covers the entire province of Bataan, that witnessed the death march of Filipino and American prisoners during Japanese occupation.

Sescon will be officially installed as Balanga bishop on Saturday, March 1.