Pope Francis accepts Cardinal Quevedo's resignation as Cotabato archbishop, mandatory retirement

Cotabato Archbishop Orlando Cardinal Quevedo has submitted his resignation upon reaching the mandatory age of retirement, according to a report posted on the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) website.

His resignation has been accepted by Pope Francis, who appointed Jolo Bishop Angelito Lampon to succeed the prelate.

Quevedo submitted his resignation four years ago upon reaching the canonical age of retirement. But this was not received by the Pontiff, who appointed him the first cardinal from Mindanao two months before he turned 75.

Quevedo will continue as apostolic administrator of the archdiocese until Lampon takes canonical possession.

He is the eighth cardinal from the Philippines and was appointed special envoy of Pope Francis to the 150th anniversary celebration of the “Hidden Christians of Japan” that was held in Nagasaki in March 2015.

Quevedo and Lampon belong to the religious congregation of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate (OMI).

Lampon, who was born in M’lang town in Cotabato, was appointed apostolic vicar of Jolo on November 21, 1997, headed the Commission on Interreligious Dialogue from 2011 to 2017, and is currently the chairman of the CBCP's Commission on Ecumenical Affairs. — BAP, GMA News