Pope names new Biliran bishop

MANILA, Philippines — Pope Francis has appointed the new bishop of the diocese of Naval, Biliran. 

The Vatican’s nunciature in Manila announced the appointment of Monsignor Rex Ramirez of the archdiocese of Palo, Leyte on Friday, the CBCPNews, the official news service provider of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines, reported.

Ramirez will succeed Bishop Filomeno Bactol whose resignation was accepted by the pontiff two years ago after reaching 75, the mandatory age of retirement for prelates.

Ramirez will be the second bishop of the diocese of Naval that Bactol have served since 1988.

In stable condition

 Meanwhile, retired Cebu archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal is in stable condition even as he remains confined in the intensive care unit of the Perpetual Succor Hospital in Cebu.

Vidal, 86, was taken to the hospital on Wednesday after suffering from high fever and difficulty in breathing. He was diagnosed with cardiopulmonary arrest brought by sepsis or massive infection in the blood.

“He just passed the most crucial stage…There are signs of improvement compared to yesterday when he was completely unresponsive,” his doctor Rene Bullecer said yesterday.

Bullecer asked the faithful to pray for Vidal’s immediate recovery.

Vidal suffered a mild stroke in September 2013 and has been in and out of the hospital due to pneumonia.