golden jubilee celebration 2017
OUR HELPING BISHOP EMERITUS
Nelbert Grana
Bishop Emeritus of Butuan, Zacharias Cenita Jimenez, D.D. is the eldest in his family, born in lnabanga, Bohol on November 5, 1947. He entered the Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary-Tagbilaran City early in high school. There, he also received his A.B. in Philosophy. He proceeded with his theological studies at the Seminario Mayor de San Carlos-Cebu City where he graduated in 1973.
With his heart for the academe, he was appointed Dean of his pre divinity alma mater immediately after being ordained. Within two years, he became its Procurator/Spiritual Director and not long after, he was assigned to
be its Vice Rector. On 1979, he was appointed its Rector, a position he held for four years. It was, perhaps, in this steady rise up the seminary's tiers that he grew to become a thinker. To this day, he sits as Executive Director of the Diocese of Butuan Educational System Board where he is known to challenge fellow educators with his sharp opinions and constructive criticisms.
When his term as seminary rector ended in 1983, he was transferred to Zamboanga del Sur, bringing with him his Boholano warmth and joviality. In the town of Molave, he became the parish priest of St. Vincent Ferrer until1988. Afterwards, he became the Vicar General of the Diocese of Pagadian for eight years, juggling, at the same time, his work as the Formation Director and Spiritual Director at St. Mary's Theologate.
He eventually became the Rector of Sto. Nino Cathedral of Pagadian on 1992 and was chosen to lead the formation in St. Mary's Theologate as Rector on the same year. Bishop Jimenez had a ready and sincere smile to show anyone he met. He spends time preparing and delivering his homilies, perhaps, taking from his multiple wisdoms as pastor, educator, and genuine lover for the community.
He was ordained to the Episcopate on January 6, 1995, at the Vatican City by His Holiness, Pope John Paul II. After serving for eight years, he was appointed to be the Auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese of Butuan. He retired on May 7, 2009, and still continues to serve the Diocese of Butuan as the Parish Priest of Holy Redeemer Parish, Langihan and lecturer at the St. Peter's College Seminary.