THE Catholic church leadership in the Philippines saw milestone changes in 2025, with six new bishops appointed and four others elevated to archbishops under Popes Francis and Leo XIV, reflecting a broad realignment in the religious hierarchy.
At least two bishops were named by Pope Francis before his death on April 21. On March 4, the Pope appointed Rogationist missionary Herman Abcede as bishop of Daet, ending a vacancy that began in 2019 following Archbishop Rex Andrew Alarcon’s transfer to Caceres. Spain.
Abcede was ordained and installed on May 1.
Francis followed this with the April 2 appointment of Daet priest Ronald Anthony Timoner as bishop of Pagadian, a diocese vacant since the death of Bishop Ronald Lunas in January 2024. Timoner’s episcopal ordination and installation were held on Aug. 13.
The last Filipino bishop appointed by Francis was Glenn Corsiga of Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay, named about a week before the pope’s death. A priest of the Diocese of Dumaguete, Corsiga was ordained on July 29 and installed on Aug. 14, filling a see vacant since the 2023 transfer of Archbishop Julius Tonel to Zamboanga.
Pope Leo XIV made his first Philippine episcopal appointment on May 16, naming Dave Capucao of the Prelature of Infanta to succeed retired Bishop Bernardino Cortez. Capucao was ordained and installed on Sept. 5, coinciding with the prelature’s 75th founding anniversary.
Leo later appointed Edwin Panergo bishop of Boac on Oct. 4, succeeding Bishop Marcelino Antonio Maralit Jr., who was transferred to San Pablo in 2024. Panergo, a priest of the Diocese of Lucena, was ordained Dec. 1 and installed Dec. 2.
On Nov. 21, Leo named Divine Word missionary Samuel Agcaracar bishop of San Jose in Nueva Ecija. Agcaracar is scheduled for episcopal ordination on Jan. 17 and installation on Feb. 6, succeeding Bishop Roberto Mallari, now head of the Diocese of Tarlac.
Several leadership elevations also took place. Under Francis, Auxiliary Bishop Midyphil Billones of Cebu was appointed archbishop of Jaro on Feb. 2 and installed April 2, replacing retired Archbishop Jose Romeo Lazo.
Under Leo XIV, Bishop Alberto Uy of Tagbilaran was appointed archbishop of Cebu on July 16 and installed Sept. 30, while Apostolic Vicar Charlie Inzon of Jolo was named archbishop of Cotabato on Sept. 8 and installed Dec. 8. David William Antonio, outgoing bishop of Ilagan, was appointed archbishop of Nueva Segovia on Nov. 4, with installation set for Jan. 14, 2026.
Beyond the Philippines, Pope Francis appointed Archbishop Bernardito Auza apostolic nuncio to the European Union, while Leo XIV named Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle cardinal of Albano and appointed Laoag native Andres Ligot auxiliary bishop of San Jose, California, further highlighting the global presence of Filipino church leaders.
