New Isabela bishop appointed

By Joan Capuna

ILAGAN, Isabela – The Catholic Church here welcomed the appointment of a new bishop of the Ilagan diocese whose ecclesiastical jurisdiction covers Isabela, the country’s third largest province.

Fr. Riczeus Angoring, diocesan secretary, said the Vatican appointed Bishop Joseph Amangi Nacua, to take over as bishop of the Ilagan diocese effective Sept. 9.

Angoring said the Vatican announcement was officially communicated to the diocese by the Most Reverend Edward Joseph Adams, D.D., Apostolic Nuncio in the Philippines.

“He (Nacua) accepted the new appointment and looks forward to coming here,” Angoring said.

A Franciscan, Nacua, now assigned at San Isidro Labrador parish in Zamboanga Sibugay province, is the fourth bishop of Ilagan since it was created as separate diocese from the Archdiocese of Tuguegarao.

Nacua’s appointment came more than a year after his predecessor Bishop Sergio Utleg was transferred to the diocese of Laoag in Ilocos Norte.