Pope Francis appoints new Tagum bishop

A US-based Filipino priest has been appointed by Pope Francis as the new Bishop of Tagum, Davao del Norte.

The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines on Saturday announced that Bishop Wilfredo Manlapaz, who is retiring at 77 years-old, will be replaced by Father Medel Aseo.

Bishop-elect Medel Aseo of Tagum. From SFC Southeastern Mindanao Facebook page via CBCPnews.net

According to the report, the 63-year-old appointee born in Kapaong, Davao del Norte has served the the Saint Mary Parish under the Diocese of Greensburgh, Pennsylvania as a missionary since 2017.

Apart from the several leadership positions Aseo held abroad, he was previously  vice-rector and procurator at the Seminary College of Tagum after finishing his postgraduate studies at the Center for Family Ministries at the Loyola School of Theology of the Ateneo de Manila University.

Manlapaz remains the apostolic administrator “sede vacante” of  Diocese of Tagum until Aseo takes canonical possession. — LA, GMA News