Pope Francis appoints new bishop for Gumaca diocese

Pope Francis has appointed a Cebuano priest as the new bishop of the Diocese of Gumaca in Quezon province on Monday, the Vatican announced.

"The Holy Father has appointed the Reverend Fr. Euginius L. Cañete, until now coordinator general of the Missionaries of Jesus, as bishop of Gumaca, Philippines," according to a Holy See Press Office bulletin.

Msgr. Euginius L. Cañete, the announcement said, was born on 8 July 1966 in Liloan, Cebu.

"After carrying out his studies in psychology at the Maryshore Major Seminary and La Salle College in Bacolod City, and in philosophy and theology at Maryhill School of Theology, he was awarded a licentiate in canon law from the Pontifical Gregorian University of Rome."

Cañete received priestly ordination on 18 December 1995.

In the announcement posted on the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) website, "Cañete will take over the diocese that has been vacant since the death of Bishop Victor Ocampo in March 2023."

Cañete is currently the coordinator general of the congregation, which was founded in the Philippines in 2002. He has held various positions with the Missionaries of Jesus congregation, including secretary general of MJ, Antipolo City (2009-2021); rector of the MJ Scholasticate, Antipolo City (2010-2020), vicar general of MJ, Antipolo City (2015-2021); member of the General Finance Committee of MJ, Antipolo City (2015-2021); and coordinator general of MJ, Antipolo City (2021).

"He currently teaches at various institutions, including the Recoletos School of Theology, the Institute of Formation and Religious Studies, the Inter-Congregational Theological Center, and Saint Vincent School of Theology, all located in Quezon City," the CBCP post said, adding that he is also a member of the Catholic Theological Society of the Philippines and Canon Law Society of the Americas. — BAP, GMA Integrated News