Pope Francis creates new Mindanao diocese, picks Cebuano as first bishop
MANILA, Philippines – Pope Francis created a new diocese in the southern Philippine island group of Mindanao and appointed Ruben Labajo of Cebu as its first bishop, the Vatican announced on Tuesday, October 15.
The new Diocese of Prosperidad, which Labajo will lead, covers the province of Agusan del Sur.
It was carved out of the Diocese of Butuan, a 57-year-old diocese, following a petition filed by Bishop Cosme Damian Almedilla in 2023. With the creation of the Diocese of Prosperidad, the Diocese of Butuan now covers only Agusan del Norte.
The diocese’s first bishop had been auxiliary bishop of Cebu, assisting Archbishop Jose Palma, since August 2022. He has been a priest since June 1995.
Labajo, 58, was born in Poblacion, Talisay City in Cebu. He studied philosophy and theology at Cebu’s San Carlos Major Seminary, according to his profile on the Vatican website.
The new Diocese of Prosperidad will be composed of 486,251 Catholics across 26 parishes, one quasi-parish, and three mission stations, according to the Vatican.
It will have 32 diocesan priests, 29 religious priests, 59 seminarians, two professed religious, and six sisters.
More to follow. – Rappler.com