Pope Francis appoints new bishop for Cubao diocese

Pope Francis has accepted the resignation of Bishop Honesto Ongtioco, as the shepherd of the Diocese of Cubao, and appointed a Claretian priest to succeed him.

"The Holy Father has appointed the Reverend Fr. Elias L. Ayuban, C.M.F., until now provincial superior of the Filipino Claretian province, as bishop of Cubao, Philippines," according to the announcement posted by the Holy Press Office on Friday (Manila time).

"Msgr. Elias L. Ayuban, C.M.F., was born in Parang, Maguindanao, in the archdiocese of Cotabato, on 1 January 1968. He studied philosophy at Saint Anthony Mary Claret College of Philosophy and theology at Loyola School of Theology, Ateneo de Manila University in Quezon City."

Fr. Elias or “Fr. Eli” gave his vows as a Claretian missionary on July 16, 1995 and was ordained a priest on March 9, 1996 in Quezon City.

According to the information posed by the press office, Ayuban first held the role of parish priest of Risen Christ in Sibugay from 1996 to 2000.

"He was awarded a doctorate in canon law at the Pontifical Lateran University (2002-2003), and went on to serve as rector of the Claret Theology House in Quezon City (2004-2008), professor of canon law at the University of Santo Tomas and the Institute for Consecrated Life Asia in Quezon City (2004-2011 and 2008-2010), chair of the Commission for the Consecrated Life of the Canon Law Society of the Philippines (2005-2011),."

He also held various positions within the Claretian community including vicar superior of the Community of Iuridicum in Rome and has been provincial superior of the Filipino Claretian Province since 2019.

Meanwhile, the parishioners of Cubao paid tribute to Bishop Emeritus Honesto Ongtioco, who served the diocese from 2003 to 2024.

“A caring father. A simple person. A faithful leader. Your dedicated service will remain with us for years to come.”

 — with Sherylin Untalan/BAP, GMA Integrated News