Vatican appoints new Isabela bishop

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

According to Fr. Riczeus Angoring, diocesan secretary, the Vatican has 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) already accepted the new appointment, and he looks forward to his coming here,” Angoring said.

A Franciscan, Nacua, who at present is 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.   – Charlie Lagasca