POPE Francis has appointed Monsignor Louie Galbines as the next bishop of the Diocese of Kabankalan in Negros Occidental.

This was confirmed last night by Father Chris Gonzales, director of Social Action Center of the Diocese of Bacolod.

Galbines replaced then Bishop Patricio Buzon, who was transferred to the Bacolod Diocese in 2016. He served the Kabankalan Diocese for 13 years.

Galbines, who was born in Sagay City on November 18, 1966, completed his philosophical and theological studies at the University of Santo Tomas in Manila, according to the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines website.

He was ordained a priest on April 1994.

In 2012, he became rector of the Sacred Heart Seminary in Bacolod City, and vicar general of the Diocese of Bacolod in 2013.