THE Manila Cathedral yesterday said Msgr. Rolando dela Cruz will be formally installed as rector of the Manila Metropolitan Cathedral and Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Concepcion next month.
In an advisory, the Cathedral said the installation rites will be presided by His Eminence Jose F. Cardinal Advincula on Easter Friday, or on April 14, at 12:10 p.m.
Dela Cruz was named rector of the church on November 23 last year after serving as parish priest of the San Fernando de Dilao Parish in Paco, Manila for 12 years. He replaced Fr. Regie Malicdem who was named chaplain at the chapels of Landmark and SM Malls in Makati City.
The Manila Cathedral is deemed as the mother of all churches, cathedrals, and basilicas in the Philippines.
Dela Cruz served as acting parish priest of San Gabriel Parish Kalookan in 1989, San Roque de Alabang Parish Muntinlupa (1989-1991), San Jose de Navotas Parish (1991-1997), San Roque Parish Pateros (1997-2001), St. Anthony of Padua Parish Singalong (2001-2010), and San Fernando de Dilao Parish Paco (2010-2022).
While serving as parish priest, he served concurrently as school director of the San Gabriel Academy, the San Roque Catholic School, the San Jose Academy, the Pateros Catholic School, the St. Anthony School, and the Paco Catholic School until March 2014.
He likewise served concurrently in the Archdiocesan Curia of Manila as vicar general, moderator curiae and oeconomus. He was appointed Papal Chaplain on April 28, 1996.
Dela Cruz was born on January 24, 1959 and grew up in Malabon City. He studied at the Tañong Elementary School Unit I in Malabon City for his primary education and the Arellano Memorial College in Malabon City for his secondary education.
He took his seminary formation at the San Carlos Seminary in Makati City, where he took up his Philosophy and Theology studies. He took up post-graduate studies at the Dela Salle University in Taft Avenue, Manila where he obtained his degree Master of Education, Major in School Leadership in 1997.
He was ordained deacon by His Excellency Bishop Teodoro C. Bacani on March 26, 1985 at the San Carlos Seminary Chapel and then was appointed resident deacon of Immaculate Conception Parish Pasig under then parish priest Bishop Manuel C. Sobreviñas.
He was ordained priest by the late His Eminence Jaime L. Cardinal Sin on October 5, 1985 at the Manila Cathedral, and then served as parochial vicar of the National Shrine of the Sacred Heart, Makati City. He was then transferred to the Our Lady of Guadalupe Minor Seminary in Makati City where he served as spiritual director and prefect of discipline from 1985 to 1989.
