POPE Francis has appointed Bishop Prudencio Andaya of the Apostolic Vicariate of Tabuk as head of the Diocese of Cabanatuan as he accepted the resignation of Bishop Sofronio Bancud as shepherd of the southern part of Nueva Ecija.
In a report by CBCP News, Andaya was named sixth bishop of Cabanatuan on Sunday night (Manila time).
“Andaya’s appointment was announced on the 38th anniversary of his priestly ordination,” said the official news agency of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP).
Andaya will succeed Bancud who celebrated his 76th birthday on the day his retirement was made official.
“Bancud has led the diocese, which covers the southern part of Nueva Ecija province, since January 2005,” said CBCP News.
Andaya was born in Lubuagan, Kalinga. He was ordained in 1986 for the Congregation of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, and then sent to Zambia where he worked in various roles for 11 years.
In 1998, he returned to the Philippines to serve as “socius” or associate, and novice master at the CICM Novitiate in Taytay, Rizal.
Andaya was appointed bishop of Tabuk in April 2003.
For the CBCP, Andaya served as chairman of the Episcopal Commission on Indigenous Peoples, and as vice chairman of the Episcopal Commission on Culture.
