Pope Leo names new bishop of Tagbilaran
MANILA, Philippines — Pope Leo XIV has appointed Reverend Gerardo Fortich Saco Jr. as the new bishop of the Diocese of Tagbilaran.
His appointment was announced by the Holy See Press Office on Wednesday, March 25 (Manila time).
Saco has been serving as a diocesan administrator since 2025. He will now assume full pastoral governance of the diocese.
Born on Oct. 16, 1965, in Tagbilaran City, the bishop-elect is a native of the same city.
He studied philosophy at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary in his hometown before moving to Cebu City to complete his theological studies at the San Carlos Seminary.
He was ordained to the priesthood on April 26, 1993, in the diocese where he is now bishop-elect.
Previous appointments: Saco has served in various roles, including as parish vicar at Saint Vincent Ferrer in Calape from 1993 to 1997, parish priest at Santa Monica in Albuquerque from 1997 to 2001, and a missionary in Libya from 2001 to 2003.
He was later assigned as a visiting priest at Our Lady Queen of Martyrs in Centerport, New York from 2003 to 2005, before becoming parish priest of Our Lady of Lourdes in Tagbilaran City from 2005 to 2009 and Our Lady of the Assumption in Dauis from 2009 to 2015.
He also served as parish priest of Holy Cross in Maribojoc and episcopal vicar for the laity from 2015 to 2021, then as parish priest of Most Holy Trinity in Tagbilaran City and vicar forane from 2021 to 2025.
During this period, he concurrently held the position of vicar general from 2023 to 2025, and has been serving as diocesan administrator since 2025.
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