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Pope Francis chooses Claretian priest as new bishop of Cubao

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Erik Tenedero

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://news-workbench-api.abs-cbn.com/api/upload-raw/20241004121020/c8be10404a8a54d99ee6bbc44d5344063b021e1bea1f0e31803e92fef3e57ffd.jpg" class="fr-fic fr-dii" alt="Claretian priest Fr. Elias Ayuban Jr. is the new bishop of the Diocese of Cubao. 📷 Diocese of Cubao Facebook page" style="width:960px"/>Claretian priest Fr. Elias Ayuban Jr. is the new bishop of the Diocese of Cubao.  Diocese of Cubao Facebook page</div>MANILA - Pope Francis has appointed a Claretian priest to lead the Diocese of Cubao, one of the youngest ecclesiastical territories in the Philippines.The Vatican announced on Friday the appointment of Rev. Fr. Elias Ayuban Jr. as the new bishop of the 21-year-old diocese.He will succeed Bishop Honesto Ongtioco, whose resignation was accepted by the pope when he reached the mandatory age of 75.Under Canon Law, bishops must submit their resignation to the pope at the age of 75.&quot;I humbly ask all the faithful of our diocese to extend a warm and wholehearted welcome to our new bishop,&quot; Ongtioco said in a video message.&quot;Let us support him with our prayers and cooperation as he begins his pastoral ministry with us.&quot;The 56-year-old Ayuban has been the provincial superior of the Claretian missionaries in the Philippine Province since 2019. Its jurisdiction includes Vietnam, Myanmar, and Australia.He served as an official at the Vatican&#x27;s Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life.He has been the co-chairperson of the Conference of Major Superiors in the Philippines since 2022.A native of Parang, North Cotabato, Ayuban holds a doctorate in canon law and has taught at the Claretianum in Rome.He will be the second Filipino Claretian to rise to the episcopate following Bishop Leo Dalmao, the incumbent bishop of the Prelature of Isabela de Basilan.The Diocese of Cubao was created by the late Pope John Paul II in 2003 from a district previously covered by the Archdiocese of Manila.Ongtioco, its first bishop, was installed on the same day of the diocese&#x27;s canonical foundation.Aside from leading the diocese for two decades, Ongtioco also served as apostolic administrator of the Diocese of Malolos after the death of its former ordinary, Bishop Jose Oliveros, in 2018.With the announcement of his successor, Ongtioco thanked the faithful of Cubao who journeyed with him in his 21 years in the diocese.&quot;I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to each and everyone of you,&quot; the bishop said.&quot;It has been a blessing to journey with you as the first shepherd of this beloved diocese since its establishment 21 years ago. Let us entrust everything to the providence and guidance of the Lord as we journey into the future full of hope and full of joy.&quot;

Claretian priest Fr. Elias Ayuban Jr. is the new bishop of the Diocese of Cubao.

Claretian priest Fr. Elias Ayuban Jr. is the new bishop of the Diocese of Cubao.