Pope names new military bishop

MANILA, Philippines — Pope Francis has appointed Cebu Auxiliary Bishop Oscar Jaime Florencio as new military ordinary of the Philippines.

Florencio was designated bishop of the military ordinariate, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines announced yesterday.

He is responsible for the pastoral care of Catholics serving in the military, police, coast guard units and prisons.

The 53-year-old prelate said he felt both happy and sad with his appointment.

“I am thankful to God for this challenging task. But honestly, it’s also with mixed emotions because I will leave the Archdiocese of Cebu,” Florencio said.

Born in Capoocan town in Leyte, Florencio was ordained priest for the Archdiocese of Palo in 1990.

He  holds a doctorate in sacred theology from the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross in Rome.

In 2015, he was named Cebu auxiliary bishop, making him the first priest from the Palo archdiocese to be elevated to the episcopacy in 28 years.

Florencio was appointed as the apostolic administrator of the military diocese in 2017. 

Meanwhile, the Philippine Navy has appointed Commodore Loumer Bernabe as its new chief of Naval Staff.

Bernabe, former commander of Central Naval Forces, replaced Rear Admiral Erick Kagaoan who will head the Naval Forces in Western Mindanao. – Michael Punongbayan