Pope Francis appoints Cebu bishop

MANILA, Philippines — Pope Francis has appointed Msgr. Ruben Labajo as auxiliary bishop for the Archdiocese of Cebu, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) reported yesterday.

The Vatican, according to the CBCP, announced Labajo’s appointment on Thursday, although it has not yet set the date for his ordination.

Labajo is currently the vicar general of the Archdiocese of Cebu and will be assisting Archbishop Jose Palma as the chief shepherd of the archdiocese.

Labajo was ordained priest on June 10, 1994, after completing his philosophy and theology studies at the San Carlos Seminary College in Cebu.

Before his appointment, Labajo served as parish vicar in Mandaue City from 1995 to 1997, pastor of Santa Fe Parish in Bantayan Island, and moderator at the parish of St. Joseph in Barangay Tabunok in Talisay City.

He also served as moderator of the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral and as vicar general and moderator of the St. Francis Assisi Parish in Balamban town in 2020.