Pope appoints new Nueva Ecija bishop

SAN JOSE, Nueva Ecija -- Pope Benedict XVI has appointed San Fernando (Pampanga) Auxiliary Bishop Roberto C. Mallari as the new bishop of this city, replacing Bishop Mylo Hubert Vergara, who was transferred to the Diocese of Pasig last year.

Mallari’s appointment was officially announced in Rome, Italy on Tuesday, May 15, 6 p.m. Manila time, said the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP).

It was relayed by Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines Archbishop Guiseppe Pinto to the Media Office of the CBCP.

As bishop of San Jose, Mallari, 54, will lead a Catholic population of around 665,715. No date has been set for his installation.

Born on March 27, 1958 in Masantol, Pampanga, he was ordained priest on Nov. 27, 1982.

He is currently the vice chairman of the CBCP’s Episcopal Commission on Family and Life.  

He was named auxiliary bishop of San Fernando by the Holy Father on January 14, 2006.

His Episcopal ordination was on March 27, 2006.

He also served as spiritual director of the Mother of Good Counsel Seminary and parish priest of the Lord’s

Ascension Parish, both in Pampanga.