Bishop Charlie Malapitan Inzon of Jolo named new Cotabato archbishop

Pope Leo XIV has appointed Bishop Charlie Malapitan Inzon, vicar apostolic of Jolo, as the new archbishop of Cotabato.

He succeeded Archbishop Angelito Lampon, who was installed as Cotabato archbishop in 2019.

Inzon was born on November 24, 1965 in Castilla, Sorsogon.

He studied philosophy at Notre Dame University in Cotabato City and theology at the Ateneo de Manila University in Quezon City.

Inzon also obtained his master’s degree in pastoral ministry and a doctorate in psychology at Ateneo de Manila University.

In 1990, Inzon had his perpetual vows with the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate (OMI).

He was ordained priest on April 24, 1993.

Inzon served in parishes and schools, including as dean of the Notre Dame of Jolo College, director of the OMI College Seminary in Quezon City, and parish vicar of Santo Niño in Midsayap, Cotabato.

In 2018, he became provincial superior of OMI and then president of the OMI Asia-Oceania Regional Conference in 2020.

Inzon was appointed vicar apostolic of Jolo on April 4, 2020.

He is currently the president of the Episcopal Commission on Catholic Education in the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines.

According to a CBCP report, Pope Leo XIV accepted Lampon’s resignation on March 1 after he turned 75, the mandatory retirement age for bishops.

The report also said Inzon is set to be the fifth archbishop of Cotabato. — BAP, GMA Integrated News