Pope appoints Pinoy priest as Papua New Guinea bishop

MANILA, Philippines - Pope Francis recently appointed a 46-year-old Filipino-born cleric as bishop of one of the dioceses in Papua New Guinea.

Vatican Radio reported that Fr. Pedro Baquero, who was born and raised in the Philippines, has been appointed as bishop of the Kerema diocese in Papua New Guinea. He replaced Bishop Patrick Taval.

The diocese has had no bishop since April 29, 2013 when Taval died.

Baquero is the superior of the Salesian vice-province of Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands.

According to Vatican Radio, Baquero was born in Manila on Sept. 15, 1970. 

After his primary and secondary education with the Salesians in Pampanga, he entered the Salesian novitiate in 1989 and made his first profession the following year and perpetual profession in 1998.

After completing his philosophy and theology studies in Manila he was ordained a priest in 1999. 

From the period of his practical training, he followed the missionary vocation ad gentes (to the nations) and worked in Papua New Guinea in various capacities.  

Baquero served as the Salesian Superior Delegate of Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands from 2014-2016, until the Salesian jurisdiction was raised to the rank of Salesian vice-province, of which he was appointed the superior.