Aldrin Soriano, ABS-CBN News North Central Luzon

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2016/regions/enrique-macaraeg-040116.jpg"/><figcaption><div class="embed-desc">Bishop-elect Enrique Macaraeg</div></figcaption></figure></div><p>DAGUPAN CITY, Pangasinan - Pope Francis has appointed a Pangasinense priest to lead about a million Catholics in the Diocese of Tarlac as bishop.</p><p>Bishop-elect Enrique Macaraeg said Papal Nuncio Archbishop Guiseppe Pinto gave him the good news on his appointment in last Holy Tuesday. </p><p>&quot;Tinawagan ako ni Papal Nuncio, sinabi niya na, &#x27;The Pope will appoint you as the bishop of Tarlac.&#x27; Parang nanliit ako kasi I know yung trabaho, yung demands ng being a bishop especially sa Tarlac, saka yung mga human limitations ko, mga human weaknesses ko. So parang nanliit ako, but I accepted it dahil I know it&#x27;s a call from God as a ministry ng simbahan,&quot; said Macaraeg, who was the priest of St. Ildefonse Parish in Malasiqui, Pangasinan.</p><p>&quot;Malayo sa isip ko, hindi kailanman pumasok sa isipan kong maging bishop. Parang nabigla, surprised, hindi mo naman ina-aspire na magiging ganito. Pero siyempre kung ano ang gusto ng Diyos, mag-serve.&quot;</p><p>Some of Macaraeg&#x27;s friends and former colleagues at St. John Cathedral School in Dagupan City where he served as director for 13 years were elated over the news.</p><p>&quot;Sobrang saya. Very simple siya, tapos very humble siya. Makikita mo naman na very holy siya eh. Pag iintidihin mo homily niya, very deep ang message,&quot; said Nancy Bisarra.</p><div><strong>RETIREMENT AGE OF BISHOPS</strong></div><p>Macaraeg is replacing Bishop Florentino Cinense, who is retiring when he turns 78 on March 14, 2016, three years later than what the Code of Canon Law says.</p><p>The Canon Law, which serves as the main law and legal system in the Roman Catholic Church, states that bishops need to submit their resignation upon reaching the age of 75.</p><p>Canon 401, Section 1 states: &quot;A diocesan bishop who has completed the seventy-fifth year of age is requested to present his resignation from office to the Supreme Pontiff, who will make provision after he has examined all the circumstances.&quot;</p><p>Cinense served the Diocese of Tarlac for 28 years.</p><div><strong>GOALS AS BISHOP</strong></div><p>According to Macaraeg, he aims to strengthen the credibility of priests and make the church closer to the people.</p><p>&quot;Yung sa credibility ng ating simbahan at mga kaparian sa mga tao, yung kailangan na talagang makita na yung mga kaparian ay talagang yung alagad ng Diyos. Pinapakita nila yung talagang calling nila as priest, saka yung participation din ng mga tao sa simbahan, kailangan yun,&quot; he said.</p><p>Macaraeg, who is on his 37th year as a priest, has been handling administrative duties in Catholic-run schools in Dagupan City, Baguio City, Malasiqui and Mangaldan in Pangasinan. He has also been parish priest in Quezon City, Mangaldan and Santa Barbara in Pangasinan.</p><p>He graduated from the University of Santo Tomas Central Seminary where he obtained philosophical and theological degrees. He also received his master&#x27;s degree on Oriental Religions and Cultures.</p><div><strong>CHURCH AND THE STATE</strong></div><p>Macaraeg said he is still clueless on what to expect in Tarlac which he will serve for 15 years. However, he believes that cooperation among church officials and government officials is needed.</p><p>&quot;Siguro we will cooperate with each other, yung mga kung paano magtulung-tulungan para...mapaganda ang buhay bilang Kristiyano,&quot; he said.</p><p>Tarlac, which serves as home for some of the known political families in the country, is composed of seven vicariates.</p>

DAGUPAN CITY, Pangasinan - Pope Francis has appointed a Pangasinense priest to lead about a million Catholics in the Diocese of Tarlac as bishop.

Pope Francis appoints new Tarlac bishop

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Pope Francis appoints new Tarlac bishop

Aldrin Soriano,

ABS-CBN News North Central Luzon

Published Apr 01, 2016 08:55 PM PHT

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Enrique Macaraeg

bishop

Tarlac

Pangasinan

Pope Francis

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