Bishop Timoner installed in Pagadian: ‘Arise and walk’

By CBCP News

‘Arise and walk.’

With these words, Bishop Ronald Anthony Timoner began his ministry as shepherd of the Diocese of Pagadian on Aug. 13—his 54th birthday.

During his episcopal ordination and installation at the Sto. Niño Cathedral, he urged all sectors of the Church to rise above discouragement, fear, and complacency, and to walk boldly in the footsteps of Christ.

“As I begin my episcopal ministry on the heels of the synod on synodality that calls for a greater communion participation and mission, I say to you my dear priests, religious and lay faithful of the Diocese of Pagadian, in the name of Jesus the Nazarene, arise and walk,” Timoner said.

His message reflects his episcopal motto, Surge et Ambula—Latin for “Arise and Walk”—signifying a commitment to spiritual renewal, missionary discipleship, and leading others to rise from personal and communal struggles in faith.

Timoner was ordained to the episcopate by Archbishop Martin Jumoad of Ozamiz, who had served as apostolic administrator of the diocese during its sede vacante period.

He was joined by co-consecrators Archbishop Rex Andrew Alarcon of Caceres and Archbishop Gilbert Garcera of Lipa, both former bishops of Daet, Timoner’s home diocese in Camarines Norte.

Following the ordination rite, Jumoad led Timoner to the cathedra—the bishop’s chair—symbolizing his authority to teach, sanctify and govern as the new local ordinary of Pagadian.

More than 50 bishops attended the event, including papal nuncio Archbishop Charles Brown, Cardinal Jose Advincula of Manila, and Bishop Mylo Hubert Vergara, vice president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines.

In his homily, Brown acknowledged the long wait for a new bishop, following the death of Bishop Ronald Lunas in January 2024.

“You have been waiting for a while for a bishop,” Brown told the faithful. “Today a new chapter opens… the sede is no longer vacant, because today you have a new bishop.”

Reflecting on the nature of episcopal leadership, he said a bishop leads not with power, but by modeling his life on Christ.

“How does a bishop lead? By focusing his eyes on Jesus,” Brown said. “Jesus is the image, the model of what it means to be bishop—Jesus who leads by invitation, by example, by his own sacrifice. That is servant leadership.”

He also stressed that the Church seeks bishops who practice synodal governance—walking with the people, staying close to the poor, and fostering unity rather than division.

“To be a bishop means to be one who is seeking reconciliation, who gathers, who does not divide; who unites, who does not separate,” he said. “We pray that Bishop Timoner will be a source of reconciliation always—between religions, between people in conflict, and even within the clergy when division arises.”

Pope Francis appointed Timoner to the episcopate on April 2.

Also present at the ordination was his older brother, Fr. Gerard Francisco Timoner III, the first Asian to serve as Master of the Order of Preachers, or the Dominicans.

Bishop-elect Ronald Anthony Timoner takes possession of the Diocese of Pagadian in a solemn eucharistic celebration that also marks his episcopal ordination. Held at the Cathedral of Sto. Niño yesterday, August 13, Timoner is the 6th prelate of the said Diocese. (Photos from the Diocese of Pagadian)