Palma left with no auxiliary bishop as retirement looms

Local

THE remaining auxiliary bishop of Cebu, Midyphil Billones, has been named the new archbishop of Jaro.

Billones’ appointment came shortly after the recent appointment of Cebu Auxiliary Bishop Ruben Labajo as the first bishop of the newly established Diocese of Prosperidad in Agusan del Sur.

With Billones and Labajo moving to separate dioceses, Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma was left without an auxiliary bishop.

Palma is nearing retirement as he will be turning 75 in March. He is expected to submit his resignation to Pope Francis, as required by canon law.

Pope Francis announced Billones' appointment on Saturday, February 2, coinciding with the Feast of Our Lady of Candles, the patroness of Jaro and Western Visayas.

Before the announcement, Billones led the feast day celebration at the Jaro Metropolitan Cathedral.

The 55-year-old prelate succeeds Archbishop Jose Romeo Lazo, whose resignation was accepted by the pope upon reaching the retirement age of 76.

Born in Panay, Capiz, Billones pursued his priestly formation at St. Vincent Ferrer Seminary in Iloilo City before earning a master’s degree in Theology from Loyola School of Theology in Quezon City.

He was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Jaro on October 2, 1995.

During his years in Jaro, he served in various roles, including as professor and formator at St. Joseph Regional Seminary, where he later became rector.

He also worked closely with Jaro's former archbishops, Alberto Piamonte and Angel Lagdameo, as their personal secretary.

In 2011, Billones obtained a Doctorate in Theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, further strengthening his academic and pastoral credentials.

His appointment as auxiliary bishop of Cebu in 2019 marked his transition to a larger role in the Church.

Over the past four years, he has assisted Archbishop Palma in leading the archdiocese, while also serving as vicar general.

Now, as the 14th archbishop of Jaro, Billones is set to lead one of the oldest and most prominent archdioceses in the country, which covers Iloilo province, Iloilo City, and Guimaras.

His leadership comes at a time of transition, not just for Jaro but also for Cebu, as it awaits Pope Francis’ decision on Palma’s eventual successor.(MyTVCebu)