MANILA -- Pope Francis has appointed Dipolog Bishop Severo Caermare as apostolic administrator of the Diocese of Iligan.

The 48-year-old prelate will oversee the diocese in an acting capacity until the Holy Father names a new bishop, a story published in the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) News on Friday, December 8.

Caermare’s appointment was announced on Dec. 6, a day after the death of Bishop Elenito Galigo, who had served the diocese of 11 years.

The 64-year-old bishop died at a hospital in Iligan City, years after battling cirrhosis of the liver.

The newly named Apostolic Administrator of the Iligan Diocese was ordained priest at the age of 26 in 1996.

He has been a priest for 21 years and holds a Master’s degree in Theology and Pastoral Ministry.

In 2014, Caermare was appointed bishop of Dipolog. (PNA)