Salvador Lazo Lazo
Encyclopedia
Salvador Lazo Lazo was a Filipino
prelate
of the Roman Catholic Church
. He served as Bishop of San Fernando de La Union
from 1981 to 1993.
, Cagayan
, to Fortunato and Emiliana Lazo. His father was the local Justice of the Peace
. Following his mother's death during childbirth in 1926, his aunt helped raise the family. Lazo graduated from Santo Nino Central School in 1933, and then attended Cagayan National High School
and Christ the King Seminary
, run by the Divine Word Missionaries
. During the Japanese occupation
of World War II
, he and his fellow novice
s were forced to continue their studies at Immaculate Conception Seminary in Vigan City
. His brother, also a seminarian
, was killed during this time.
, Lazo was ordained
to the priesthood
by Archbishop Mariano Madriaga on March 22, 1947. He then served as an assistant priest
at St. Peter's Cathedral
in Vigan, and later at San Jose parish
in Baggao
. He also founded San Jose Academy. In 1950, Lazo was named prefect
of discipline at the newly-created San Jacinto Minor Seminary
, of which he later became rector
in 1951.
He became parish priest
of Lal-Lo
in 1967 and, due to the large number of students, founded the Lyceum
of Lal-Lo in 1968.
of Tuguegarao and Titular Bishop
of Selia by Pope Paul VI
. He received his episcopal consecration
on February 3, 1970 from Archbishop Carmine Rocco, with Archbishops Juan Sison and Teodulfo Domingo serving as co-consecrators
. Following the death of Antonio Buenafe, he was named Auxiliary Bishop of Nueva Segovia
on August 3, 1977.
On January 20, 1981, Lazo was appointed the second Bishop of San Fernando de La Union
by Pope John Paul II
; he was formally installed
as Bishop on the following March 9. During his tenure, Lazo oversaw the construction of a seminary, chancery
, episcopal residence, two convent
s, and St. Joseph Pastoral Center. The 1990 Luzon earthquake
greatly damaged several churches, schools
, and rectories
in the Diocese.
-stricken sister in Zamboanga City
. He then came into contact with the Society of St. Pius X
and began to identify himself as a Traditionalist Catholic
, exclusively celebrating the Tridentine Mass
by 1995. Appeals were made by Jaime Cardinal Sin and Archbishop Diosdado Talamayan
for Lazo to discontinue his association with the SSPX, but he refused.
In 1998, he made a Declaration of Faith to John Paul II, saying "obedience must serve faith," Lazo also claimed that the reforms of the Second Vatican Council
were "aimed to destroy the Catholic Religion." He once described Judaism
as "visible chief enemy of the Catholic Church."
Lazo later died at age 81. His funeral Mass
was celebrated by Bishop Bernard Fellay
.
Filipino people
The Filipino people or Filipinos are an Austronesian ethnic group native to the islands of the Philippines. There are about 92 million Filipinos in the Philippines, and about 11 million living outside the Philippines ....
prelate
Prelate
A prelate is a high-ranking member of the clergy who is an ordinary or who ranks in precedence with ordinaries. The word derives from the Latin prælatus, the past participle of præferre, which means "carry before", "be set above or over" or "prefer"; hence, a prelate is one set over others.-Related...
of the Roman Catholic Church
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
. He served as Bishop of San Fernando de La Union
Roman Catholic Diocese of San Fernando de La Union
The Roman Catholic Diocese of San Fernando de La Union is a diocese of the Latin Rite of the Roman Catholic Church in the Philippines...
from 1981 to 1993.
Early life
One of seven children, Lazo was born in Santo NiñoSanto Niño, Cagayan
Santo Niño is a 4th class municipality in the province of Cagayan, Philippines. It is formerly known as Faire. According to the latest census, it has a population of 25,688 people in 4,387 households.-Barangays:...
, Cagayan
Cagayan
Cagayan , the "Land of Smiling Beauty", is a province of the Philippines in the Cagayan Valley region in Luzon. Its capital is Tuguegarao City and is located at the northeastern corner of the island of Luzon. Cagayan also includes the Babuyan Islands to the north. The province borders Ilocos Norte...
, to Fortunato and Emiliana Lazo. His father was the local Justice of the Peace
Justice of the Peace
A justice of the peace is a puisne judicial officer elected or appointed by means of a commission to keep the peace. Depending on the jurisdiction, they might dispense summary justice or merely deal with local administrative applications in common law jurisdictions...
. Following his mother's death during childbirth in 1926, his aunt helped raise the family. Lazo graduated from Santo Nino Central School in 1933, and then attended Cagayan National High School
Cagayan National High School
Cagayan National High School is the Cagayan Province's Public National High School. It is located at Taft Street, Tuguegarao City, Cagayan, Philippines. Established in 1905, it is the oldest public secondary level school in the Cagayan Province....
and Christ the King Seminary
Christ the King Seminary
The Christ the King Mission Seminary is a Roman Catholic seminary in Quezon City, Philippines run by the Divine Word Missionaries, more popularly known as the "Society of the Divine Word" .-External links:*...
, run by the Divine Word Missionaries
Divine Word Missionaries
The Society of the Divine Word , popularly called the Divine Word Missionaries, and sometimes the Steyler Missionaries, is a missionary religious congregation in the Latin Church, one of the 23 sui iuris churches which make up the Catholic Church. As of 2006 it consisted of 6,102 members composed...
. During the Japanese occupation
Japanese occupation of the Philippines
The Japanese occupation of the Philippines was the period in the history of the Philippines between 1942 and 1945, when the Empire of Japan occupied the previously American-controlled Philippines during World War II....
of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, he and his fellow novice
Novice
A novice is a person or creature who is new to a field or activity. The term is most commonly applied in religion and sports.-Buddhism:In many Buddhist orders, a man or woman who intends to take ordination must first become a novice, adopting part of the monastic code indicated in the vinaya and...
s were forced to continue their studies at Immaculate Conception Seminary in Vigan City
Vigan City
The City of Vigan is a 5th class city in the province of Ilocos Sur, Philippines. It is the capital of the Province of Ilocos Sur...
. His brother, also a seminarian
Seminary
A seminary, theological college, or divinity school is an institution of secondary or post-secondary education for educating students in theology, generally to prepare them for ordination as clergy or for other ministry...
, was killed during this time.
Priesthood
Leaving the Divine Word Missionaries to serve the Diocese of TuguegaraoRoman Catholic Archdiocese of Tuguegarao
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Tuguegarao is an ecclesiastical territory or diocese of the Roman Catholic Church in the Philippines. Tuguegarao is a river delta city that became the seat of the Archdiocese in the Province of Cagayan, on the island of Luzon....
, Lazo was ordained
Holy Orders
The term Holy Orders is used by many Christian churches to refer to ordination or to those individuals ordained for a special role or ministry....
to the priesthood
Priesthood (Catholic Church)
The ministerial orders of the Catholic Church include the orders of bishops, deacons and presbyters, which in Latin is sacerdos. The ordained priesthood and common priesthood are different in function and essence....
by Archbishop Mariano Madriaga on March 22, 1947. He then served as an assistant priest
Curate
A curate is a person who is invested with the care or cure of souls of a parish. In this sense "curate" correctly means a parish priest but in English-speaking countries a curate is an assistant to the parish priest...
at St. Peter's Cathedral
Cathedral
A cathedral is a Christian church that contains the seat of a bishop...
in Vigan, and later at San Jose parish
Parish (Catholic Church)
In the Roman Catholic Church, a parish is the lowest ecclesiastical geographical subdivision: from ecclesiastical province to diocese to deanery to parish.-Requirements:A parish needs two things under common law to become a parish...
in Baggao
Baggao, Cagayan
Baggao is a 1st class municipality in the province of Cagayan, Philippines. According to the latest census, it has a population of 73,048 people in 13,039 households.-Barangays:Baggao is politically subdivided into 48 barangays.-External links:****...
. He also founded San Jose Academy. In 1950, Lazo was named prefect
Prefect
Prefect is a magisterial title of varying definition....
of discipline at the newly-created San Jacinto Minor Seminary
Minor seminary
A minor seminary is a secondary boarding school created for the specific purpose of enrolling teenage boys who have expressed interest in becoming priests. They are generally Roman Catholic institutions, and designed to prepare boys both academically and spiritually for vocations to the priesthood...
, of which he later became rector
Rector
The word rector has a number of different meanings; it is widely used to refer to an academic, religious or political administrator...
in 1951.
He became parish priest
Pastor
The word pastor usually refers to an ordained leader of a Christian congregation. When used as an ecclesiastical styling or title, this role may be abbreviated to "Pr." or often "Ps"....
of Lal-Lo
Lal-Lo, Cagayan
Lal-lo is now a 1st class municipality in the province of Cagayan, Philippines. According to the latest census, it has a population of 39,607people in 7,443 households....
in 1967 and, due to the large number of students, founded the Lyceum
Lyceum
The lyceum is a category of educational institution defined within the education system of many countries, mainly in Europe. The definition varies between countries; usually it is a type of secondary school.-History:...
of Lal-Lo in 1968.
Episcopal career
On December 1, 1969, Lazo was appointed Auxiliary BishopAuxiliary bishop
An auxiliary bishop, in the Roman Catholic Church, is an additional bishop assigned to a diocese because the diocesan bishop is unable to perform his functions, the diocese is so extensive that it requires more than one bishop to administer, or the diocese is attached to a royal or imperial office...
of Tuguegarao and Titular Bishop
Titular bishop
A titular bishop in various churches is a bishop who is not in charge of a diocese.By definition a bishop is an "overseer" of a community of the faithful, so when a priest is ordained a bishop the tradition of the Roman Catholic and Orthodox churches is that he be ordained for a specific place...
of Selia by Pope Paul VI
Pope Paul VI
Paul VI , born Giovanni Battista Enrico Antonio Maria Montini , reigned as Pope of the Catholic Church from 21 June 1963 until his death on 6 August 1978. Succeeding Pope John XXIII, who had convened the Second Vatican Council, he decided to continue it...
. He received his episcopal consecration
Bishop (Catholic Church)
In the Catholic Church, a bishop is an ordained minister who holds the fullness of the sacrament of Holy Orders and is responsible for teaching the Catholic faith and ruling the Church....
on February 3, 1970 from Archbishop Carmine Rocco, with Archbishops Juan Sison and Teodulfo Domingo serving as co-consecrators
Consecrator
Consecrator is a term used in the Roman Catholic Church to designate a bishop who ordains a priest to the episcopal state. The term is often used in Eastern Rite Churches and in Anglican communities. The term "Principal Consecrator" is used to designate the primary bishop who ordains a new bishop...
. Following the death of Antonio Buenafe, he was named Auxiliary Bishop of Nueva Segovia
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Nueva Segovia
-Introduction:The Archdiocese of Nueva Segovia is an archdiocese of the Roman Catholic Church in the Philippines. It covers the province of Ilocos Sur, on the island of Luzon. The see of the archdiocese is the city of Vigan....
on August 3, 1977.
On January 20, 1981, Lazo was appointed the second Bishop of San Fernando de La Union
Roman Catholic Diocese of San Fernando de La Union
The Roman Catholic Diocese of San Fernando de La Union is a diocese of the Latin Rite of the Roman Catholic Church in the Philippines...
by Pope John Paul II
Pope John Paul II
Blessed Pope John Paul II , born Karol Józef Wojtyła , reigned as Pope of the Catholic Church and Sovereign of Vatican City from 16 October 1978 until his death on 2 April 2005, at of age. His was the second-longest documented pontificate, which lasted ; only Pope Pius IX ...
; he was formally installed
Enthronement
An enthronement is a ceremony of inauguration, involving a person—usually a monarch or religious leader—being formally seated for the first time upon their throne. This ritual is generally distinguished from a coronation because there is no crown or other regalia that is physically...
as Bishop on the following March 9. During his tenure, Lazo oversaw the construction of a seminary, chancery
Diocesan chancery
A diocesan chancery is the branch of administration which handles all written documents used in the official government of a Roman Catholic or Anglican diocese....
, episcopal residence, two convent
Convent
A convent is either a community of priests, religious brothers, religious sisters, or nuns, or the building used by the community, particularly in the Roman Catholic Church and in the Anglican Communion...
s, and St. Joseph Pastoral Center. The 1990 Luzon earthquake
1990 Luzon earthquake
The Luzon earthquake occurred on Monday, July 16, 1990, at 4:26 PM local time in the Philippines. The densely populated island of Luzon was struck by an earthquake with a 7.8 Ms...
greatly damaged several churches, schools
Catholic school
Catholic schools are maintained parochial schools or education ministries of the Catholic Church. the Church operates the world's largest non-governmental school system...
, and rectories
Rectory
A rectory is the residence, or former residence, of a rector, most often a Christian cleric, but in some cases an academic rector or other person with that title...
in the Diocese.
Later life
Upon reaching the mandatory retirement age of 75, Lazo resigned his post as Bishop on May 28, 1993. He then lived with his cancerCancer
Cancer , known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the...
-stricken sister in Zamboanga City
Zamboanga City
The City of Zamboanga : is a highly urbanized, independent and a chartered city located in Mindanao, Philippines....
. He then came into contact with the Society of St. Pius X
Society of St. Pius X
The Society of Saint Pius X is an international Traditionalist Catholic organisation, founded in 1970 by the French archbishop Marcel Lefebvre...
and began to identify himself as a Traditionalist Catholic
Traditionalist Catholic
Traditionalist Catholics are Roman Catholics who believe that there should be a restoration of many or all of the liturgical forms, public and private devotions and presentations of Catholic teachings which prevailed in the Catholic Church before the Second Vatican Council...
, exclusively celebrating the Tridentine Mass
Tridentine Mass
The Tridentine Mass is the form of the Roman Rite Mass contained in the typical editions of the Roman Missal that were published from 1570 to 1962. It was the most widely celebrated Mass liturgy in the world until the introduction of the Mass of Paul VI in December 1969...
by 1995. Appeals were made by Jaime Cardinal Sin and Archbishop Diosdado Talamayan
Diosdado Talamayan
The Most Reverend Diosdado A. Talamayan, D.D., Ph. D., STD is the Archbishop-emeritus of the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Tuguegarao in the province of Cagayan, on the island of Luzon, Philippines after his retirement on June 15, 2011...
for Lazo to discontinue his association with the SSPX, but he refused.
In 1998, he made a Declaration of Faith to John Paul II, saying "obedience must serve faith," Lazo also claimed that the reforms of the Second Vatican Council
Second Vatican Council
The Second Vatican Council addressed relations between the Roman Catholic Church and the modern world. It was the twenty-first Ecumenical Council of the Catholic Church and the second to be held at St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican. It opened under Pope John XXIII on 11 October 1962 and closed...
were "aimed to destroy the Catholic Religion." He once described Judaism
Judaism
Judaism ) is the "religion, philosophy, and way of life" of the Jewish people...
as "visible chief enemy of the Catholic Church."
Lazo later died at age 81. His funeral Mass
Requiem
A Requiem or Requiem Mass, also known as Mass for the dead or Mass of the dead , is a Mass celebrated for the repose of the soul or souls of one or more deceased persons, using a particular form of the Roman Missal...
was celebrated by Bishop Bernard Fellay
Bernard Fellay
Bernard Fellay, SSPX is a bishop and superior general of the Traditionalist Catholic Society of St. Pius X. In 1988, the Roman Catholic Church declared Fellay automatically excommunicated through being consecrated a bishop by Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre, an act that the Holy See described as...
.