PALO, LEYTE – Most Rev. Pedro R. Dean, D.D., PH.L., S.T.L. is now back and will stay for good in the Archdiocese of Palo. Dean is the sixth ordinary and the second Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Palo since its foundation in 1937.

Dean convened the First Archdiocesan Pastoral Assembly (FAPA) in 1996. The Decrees of the FAPA continues to guide the pastoral programs of the Archdiocese of Palo. In 1998 Archbishop Dean founded the St. John the Evangelist School of Theology (SJEST). SJEST now offers Theology Courses and form seminarians to the priesthood not only in the local church of Palo and its suffragan but also to other Dioceses of Mindanao and the Visayas. He also sent several seminarians and priests for further studies in Rome and Spain to equip the seminaries with competent and credible professors. The Palo Archdiocesan Chancery and Socio-Pastoral Center, which serves as the principal office of the Archdiocese of Palo, was also realized through his leadership. Archbishop Dean left the Archdiocese of Palo in 2006 as Archbishop Jose S. Palma, D.D., now the Archbishop of Cebu succeeded his episcopal office.

With the invitation of the Archbishop of Palo, Most Rev. John F. Du, D.D., and the discernment of Archbishop Dean, Dean arrived in Palo today (February 17, 2020) after a long road trip from Manila. Archbishop Dean has long abandoned traveling by air for some reason. He will take residence at the Seminary compound in a house built for him by the Clergy and the Lay Faithful of the Archdiocese of Palo through the guidance of Archbishop Du. Archbishop Dean will be welcomed formally by the Presbyterium of Palo on February 21, 2020, during their annual on-going formation which is also his 90th Birthday.

Archbishop Dean had shepherded the Archdiocese of Palo from October 12, 1985, to March 18, 2006. His office as the Archbishop of Palo for almost 21 years is currently the longest incumbency of a Bishop who served the local Church of Palo.

-RCAP, InfoCom-

To see the list of Ordinaries who served the Archdiocese of Palo, click: https://archdioceseofpalo.org/the-archbishop