Bishop Camacho turns 75; to resign post

Tomorrow, Sept. 18, the Diocese of Chalan Kanoa will celebrate the life and times of Bishop Tomas A. Camacho on the occasion of his 75th birthday.

A diocesan-wide Thanksgiving Mass is set for 5pm at the Mount Carmel Cathedral in Chalan Kanoa, Saipan. Homilist for the Mass is the Archbishop of Manila, His Eminence Gaudencio Cardinal B. Rosales. Members of the clergy from Rota, Saipan, Tinian, and Guam will be in attendance. All parochial and ministry teams will also be in attendance and joined by various civic and public leaders. Everyone is invited to participate in this historic event.

Bishop Camacho, the first bishop of and from the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, has served the public for over 23 years as the head of the Roman Catholic Church in the CNMI.

Bishop Camacho has seen the Diocese of Chalan Kanoa grow to become what is now 13 parishes spread across the CNMI since taking over the post in January 1985.

Canon law requires that he submits his letter of resignation to Pope Benedict XVI upon reaching the age of 75. Bishop Camacho will follow this requirement and wait for the Vatican’s decision as to whether or not the resignation will be accepted. He will continue to serve in his current capacity until a new bishop is appointed. Any interim wait will provide for the Vatican’s needs in confirming a suitable replacement.

Other events have been lined up to celebrate and thank Bishop Camacho for his tenure and contribution to all the faithful in the Commonwealth.

His leadership steered a very young Diocese for a very young Commonwealth and he has been and continues to be a source of inspiration for many people. Author Jess R.A. Sonoda provides insights into the bishop’s journey from a young boy raising goats on a farm to being the Vatican’s pick as bishop of the Diocese of Chalan Kanoa in the biography From Goatherd to Shepherd. The book will be launched tomorrow morning at the Diocesan Curia. It will be on sale to all interested individuals.

With the book launching is the opening of a gallery displaying religious collectibles dating from pre-World War II to more recent years. To close out the day, a dinner fundraiser will be held at the Saipan World Resort’s Royal Taga Hall from 6pm to 9pm. Proceeds from the dinner tickets will go to the Diocese of Chalan Kanoa.

As he awaits his impending leave, Bishop Camacho says to the people of the Commonwealth: “I thank you, the people of God in the Diocese of Chalan Kanoa, for your unconditional love and support during our 23-year journey toward the kingdom. I thank you for allowing me to share the happy and memorable moments of your life. You have been my inspiration, consolation and advocate during confusing, difficult and challenging times. Si yu’os ma’ase.”

For information on any of the events and dinner accommodations, contact the Mount Carmel Rectory at 234-3000.