Pope Leo appoints priest as Boac bishop

MANILA, Philippines — Pope Leo XIV has appointed a new bishop in the Diocese of Boac in Marinduque, the Vatican said on Saturday, October 4 (Manila time). 

The pontiff has appointed Edwin Oracion Panergo, a priest from the Diocese of Lucena, as the new prelate of the Marinduque-based diocese, who has been in “sede vacante” since November 2024. 

He replaces Bishop Marcelino Maralit Jr., who was installed as the Bishop of the Diocese of San Pablo in Laguna in November last year, following his appointment as the prelate of San Pablo in September 2024. 

While the position remained vacant, the Boac diocese was overseen by Diocesan Administrator Elino Esplana.

Who is Panergo?  Panergo, a native of Lucena City, currently serves as the rector of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Seminary in Sariaya, Quezon and directs the Diocese of Lucena’s Commission on Vocation. 

His academic background includes philosophy studies at St. Francis de Sales Major Seminary in Lipa City and theology at St. Alphonsus School of Theology in Lucena. 

Ordained a priest at Lucena Cathedral on Sept. 8, 1997, he further specialized with a master’s degree in guidance and counseling from St. Louis University in Baguio City and a licentiate in sacred theology from Notre Dame de Vie in Venasque, France.