"As bishop of Infanta, Cortez will administer an ecclesiastical jurisdiction with almost half-a-million population, 87 percent of which are Catholics from 20 parishes," the CBCP said.

 

The CBCP said the diocese had been vacant since November 2012, when Tirona was named Archbishop of Nueva Caceres.

 

Cortez, 65, was ordained in June 1974. He had served in San Pablo diocese in Laguna.

 

Now-Saint John Paul II appointed him as Auxiliary Bishop of Manila in May 2004.

 

Congratulations on new assignment

 

Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle congratulated Cortez on his new assignment and wished him well.

 

“He has testified to the need for prayerfulness and a profound respect for the conditions and sensibilities of human persons in pastoral life.  We are grateful to Bishop Bernard for having served wholeheartedly the faithful, priests, religious, and seminarians of the Archdiocese of Manila,” Tagle said. 

 

He urged the faithful to pray for Cortez and his ministry.

 

“Let us also pray for the Prelature of Infanta as it continues to respond to numerous pastoral challenges, especially those related to authentic human development, the situation of indigenous peoples, and stewardship of creation,” he said.  — Joel Locsin/ELR, GMA News