6 Bacolod laypeople to get papal awards

MANILA, Philippines - Pope Benedict XVI has honored six laypeople in the Diocese of Bacolod with Papal Awards, Bishop Vicente Navarra has said. Online news site Visayan Daily Star reported that Navarra learned of the awards through a letter from Papal Nuncio Archbishop Edward Joseph Adams. Given the Knighthood of the Order of Pope St. Sylvester with the rank of commander were Nestor Inventor Gabalda, Benjamin Dacles Lopue Jr. and Modesto Palacios Sa-onoy. Conferred with the Cross Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice were Maria Teresa Castillo Causing, Amparo Quevenco Ferraris and Erlinda Riego Ledesma. The report said the solemn investiture of the Knight Commanders of the Order and official conferment of the Cross Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice are slated at 4 p.m. on Jan. 19, 2009 at the San Sebastian Cathedral. The Knighthood of the Order of St. Sylvester is the oldest and one of the most prized of Papal Orders and invested on Catholic laymen "who are actively involved in the life of the Church, particularly as it is exemplified in the exercise of their professional duties and mastery of the different arts." It is directly awarded by the Pope as Supreme Pontiff and head of the Catholic Church and as Head of the Vatican City. Before Oct. 31, 1841, the Equestrian Order of Pope St. Sylvester was originally known as the Order of the Golden Militia or Golden Spur and on this date, Pope Gregory XVI forbade the use of the title or the decoration to all knights created by any means other than a Papal Brief and limited the number of Commanders to 150 and knights to 300 for the Papal States. The rank of commander is the highest class of the Order. The award of "Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice" (For the Church and the Pope) is granted to lay persons "in recognition of their outstanding services to the Church and the Papacy." Papal awardees have no specific obligations but are usually invited to participate in major events of the diocese such as consecration of bishops, ordination of priests, introductions of new bishops to the diocese and to wear the uniform of the Order on such occasions. - GMANews.TV