Pope Leo XIV names new Urdaneta bishop

Pope Leo XIV has appointed Fr. Nick Vaquilar of the Archdiocese of Nueva Segovia as the new bishop of the Diocese of Urdaneta following the resignation of Urdaneta Bishop Jacinto Jose.

According to a report on CBCP News, the appointment and resignation were announced in Manila on Sunday by Archbishop Charles Brown, apostolic nuncio to the Philippines.

Vaquilar’s appointment coincided with his 56th birthday.

Born in Cabugao, Ilocos Sur, the bishop-elect took up philosophy at the San Pablo Major Seminary in Baguio City and studied theology at the Immaculate Conception School of Theology (ICST) in Vigan City.

He was ordained to the priesthood on May 5, 1997 and first served in parishes before joining the faculty of ICST, the regional seminary for Northern Luzon.

From 2001 to 2004, he pursued a licentiate in biblical theology at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome.

Upon his return to the country, Vaquilar resumed teaching at ICST in 2006 and later served as seminary procurator and overseer of seminarians’ formation and welfare.

He also served as vice rector of the seminary and president of the Priests’ Assembly of the Archdiocese of Nueva Segovia.

In 2016, he earned a doctorate in sacred theology, specializing in biblical theology, from the Loyola School of Theology at the Ateneo de Manila University in Quezon City.

At the time of his appointment by the Pope, Vaquilar has served as ICST rector and headed the archdiocese’s Commission on Biblical Apostolate and Commission on Seminaries.

The Diocese of Urdaneta welcomed Vaquilar’s appointment as prelate.

“Your presence is a blessing, and we look forward to journeying together in faith, hope, and service. Thank you for saying ‘yes’ to this new ministry. The local Church of Urdaneta is blessed to have you as our new shepherd,” the diocese said on its Facebook page.

The Diocese of Urdaneta also thanked Jose for his years of faithful service, guidance, and love for their community.

“For more than 20 years, you have been a loving father and gentle shepherd to all of us. As you begin this new chapter, may the Lord bless you with peace, joy, and a well-deserved retirement,” the diocese said in a separate post.

Jose served as third bishop of the Diocese of Urdaneta since December 2005. He reached the mandatory retirement age for bishops of 75 in October 2025.

In the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), Jose previously served as chairman of the Episcopal Commission on Canon Law. — JMA, GMA News