Pope Benedict accepts resignation of Bishop Iñiquez — papal nuncio

Pope Benedict has accepted the resignation of Bishop Deogracias Iñiquez of the Diocese of Kalookan in Metro Manila and Bishop Leo Drona of the Diocese of San Pablo in Laguna province, the media office of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) said on Friday.

 

The CBCP said Archbishop Guiseppe Pinto, apostolic nuncio of the Vatican to the Philippines relayed the pope's acceptance of the resignations of the two bishops, who opted to retire earlier than the retirement age of 75.

 

Iñiguez has been Kalookan bishop since it was established in August 2003. He often speaks out on many social issues in his capacity as chairman of the CBCP permanent committee on public affairs. He has also ties to the Ecowaste Coalition and is co-chairperson of the Ecumenical Bishops Forum.

 

The Diocese of Kalookan said on its website Iñiguez was appointed auxiliary bishop of Malolos on July 03, 1985 and after several weeks was ordained bishop on August 22, 1985. 

 

“On December 29, 1989, he was appointed Bishop of Iba in Zambales province, and installed on March 3, 1990. He was appointed Bishop of Kalookan on June 28, 2003. He was installed on August 22, 2003,” the Kalookan diocese also said.

 

Drona is the third bishop of San Pablo.

 

The San Pablo diocese said on its website that “Bishop Drona was consecrated by Archbishop Bruno Torpigliani D.D. on 25 July 1987 then was installed Bishop of San Jose (Nueva Ecija) on the 15th of the following month. The first Bishop of San Pablo, Bishop Pedro N. Bantigue D.D. was the co-consecrator.”

 

“Then, on 14 May 2004 he was appointed Bishop of San Pablo by Blessed Pope John Paul II. He was eventually installed as the 3rd Bishop of San Pablo on 8 June of the same year,” the San Pablo diocese also said.

 

Bishop Buenaventura Famadico of the Diocese of Gumaca in Quezon Province was picked to succeed Drona.  — ELR, GMA News