Most Reverend Alberto (Abet) Sy Uy has been installed as fifth Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Cebu morning on Tuesday, September 30, 2025.

Uy was seated at the Cathedra during his installation Mass at the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral. According to The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cebu, in a post, the cathedra is the bishop's seat or throne, symbolizing his authority within the archdiocese.

Uy is the 25th Bishop and fifth Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Cebu.

"May the Lord grant him a fruitful ministry as he leads the Cebuano faithful, and may we offer our prayers, especially support to our new shepherd," said The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cebu in a post morning on September 30, 2025. 

Representatives from the clergy, religious, and lay people “affirmed their support, obedience, and commitment to work with him in continuing the work of Christ in the Archdiocese."

Uy led the clergy in renewing the promises they made upon their ordination, praying that they “remain faithful to their vows and continue to be bearers of grace for the Church.”

Uy celebrated the Installation Mass with co-presiders Most Reverend Charles Brown, Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines; Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle, Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization and Cardinal-Bishop of Albano; and Cebu Archbishop-Emeritus Jose Palma. 

“I ask all of you to love, pray, respect, and help your Archbishop. He has received from the Holy Father this mandate to lead you now, to be your shepherd, to lead you now walking in the pathways of the saints,” Brown said in his message. 

In his homily, Tagle underscored the significance of seeking first God’s will.

“Jesus was not seeking celebrity status, nor marching bands, nor millions of likes and views. He was seeking to do God’s will no matter what the cost. The Archdiocese of Cebu with Archbishop Abet should seek, ‘What are we seeking?’” Tagle said. 

Palma vowed love and support to Uy in his message. 

“Archbishop Uy’s journey is just beginning. May we continue to extend our love, generosity, and understanding to him - perhaps even more than what you have shown me. To Archbishop Abet, I assure you, in my own little way, I am just a text away. Expect our love and support in any way possible,” Palma said. 

In his Words of Thanks, Uy asked the people of Cebu to be “good to him,” as he “reports for duty.”

“My good people in Cebu, I am here, reporting for duty … the Archdiocese of Cebu is so big and my capacity is so little. Please be good to me. I promise to give you my best, so we can walk closer to Christ, our true Shepherd,” Uy said. 

THE APPOINTMENT

GMA News Online cited a report of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) News that Uy’s appointment came after Palma’s retirement who celebrated his 75th birthday on March 19, 2025. 

The GMA News Online report, dated July 16, 2025, added that bishops are mandated to submit their resignation upon reaching 75 years old, and that Uy will serve as the fifth archbishop of Cebu, as appointed by Pope Leo XIV.

Cebu has more than 170 parishes. 

The 58-year-old prelate was born in Ubay, Bohol and was ordained priest for the Diocese of Talibon in 1993.

Uy studied philosophy at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary in Tagbilaran City.

He also learned theology and obtained his master's in pastoral care at the St. John Mary Vianney Theological Seminary in Cagayan de Oro City.

Uy earned a doctorate in sacred theology at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome.

He also holds a licentiate in sacred theology from the Loyola School of Theology in Quezon City.

In 2016, Pope Francis appointed Uy as Tagbilaran bishop.