The Pride of the Azarcon
(The first Filipino Bishop in the U.S. History)
The Most Reverend Oscar Azarcon Solis,
Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, still remembers very vividly how it felt "to be struck by lightning" when
he got the call from the Papal Nuncio informing him that he had been elevated to his new post. Now, however, he has buckled
down to work and work involves doing a situational analysis, forming a Council of Leaders, and implementing the overall pastoral
plan that will achieve what he is tasked to do: unite the many ethnic groups in the archdiocese into an inclusive, dynamic
community that "brings back the scenario of the Pentacost event."
Solis, who has had extensive experience
in being a pastor (in New Jersey and Louisiana) and who was once the rector of a boy's school in his native Nueva Ecija, is
undoubtedly cut out for the job as leader and unifier. He is described by adoring members of his flock as "extremely
charismatic, very accommodating, has a great sense of humor, and has a humble but pleasant way of making you feel that
he is for you."
The first Filipino bishop in the U.S. himself
jokes about how he was the "pilyo" (mischievous one) in the family, the exact opposite of his younger brother, who is also
a priest. He was the one who would get punished in school for putting thumbtacks in his classmates' chairs and teasing
the girls. As punishments, "I'd be sent to the girls' classroom so I always had a ball, " he recalls.
At the University of Santo Tomas, Dominician
professors remember the six-foot Solis as being very good at "playing basketball and studying theology." He never had
the academic excellence and the eloquence of his classmates, nor is proud of his record on Philippine social issues because
when he was a student of the revolutionary priest Edicio de la Torre, Bishop Solis preferred to watch movies that join
a demonstration.
What Solis had going for him and what makes
him perfect for his current assignment is his ability to connect with people. "I am a pastor at heart, who simply gave God
the opportunity in my life to touch me," he explains. In his well-attended ordination as bishop last year, Solis chose not
to wear Filipino vestments to underscore that he will be a bishop for all people, regardless of ethnicity. Great instincts
for someone who even his close relatives thought wouldn't last the priesthood beyond five years.
(G.N. taken from the Filipinas Magazine. Pg. 26. 2005 January.)
What can I say? I'm very proud of my pinsan
(cousin) and proud of my Ortega-Azarcon-Solis clan. I'm also very greatful when he came all the way to Rochester, Minnesota
to officiate the funeral mass of my father Torcuato Ortega Azarcon Jr. (Kuya Ochie's mother Antonia, is
the sister of my father), back in October 18, 1994. Along with that, he also made a funeral mass in the San
Jose, Nueva Ecija Philippines for the burial my father.
