Libmanan faithful ready to welcome new bishop

MANILA, Philippines - Residents of Libmanan town in Camarines Sur in Bicol welcomed the appointment of Caceres Auxiliary Bishop Jose Rojas Jr. as their new bishop. The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) has said preparations are underway for Rojas' installation scheduled for July 2. A statement on the CBCP website said local clergy and various religious organizations have been meeting to prepare for the installation of the prelature's second bishop. Libmanan prelature was established on December 9, 1989. It covers the first congressional district of Camarines Sur and Milaor town from the second congressional district. It was canonically erected March 19, 1990 with St. Joseph the Patriarch as titular saint. Bishop Prospero Arellano was appointed the first Bishop-Prelature of Libmanan on December 9, 1989 but suffered a stroke in 2007. Fr. Luisito Occiano, Director of Caceres Commission on Communication said the stroke prompted Arellano to file his resignation with Pope Benedict XVI, who accepted it. - GMANews.TV