POPE Francis has appointed 63-year-old Msgr. Victor Ocampo as new head of the Diocese of Gumaca in the Quezon Province.
The Vatican announced Ocampo's appointment on Friday, June 12.
The Bishop-elect is currently the chancellor of the Balanga Diocese in Bataan and the parish priest in Santo Domingo church in Abucay.
Balanga Bishop Ruperto Santos is happy over Ocampo's new position.
"God favors the Diocese of Balanga. It is God's grace. It is because of His goodness. On this celebration of the firm and faithful 40th year foundation of our beloved Diocese. We receive best fruit, a harvest of hundredfold. Our Pope Francis appointed our own Msgr. Victor Ocampo as Bishop of Gumaca," he said.
"Bishop-elect Victor Ocampo is our gift to the Philippine Church and to the Church of Gumaca in particular. We are grateful to God. We glorify Him for doing great and gracious things to our Bataan," he added.
Santos described Ocampo as "very dedicated and devoted to his priestly duties."
Ocampo was born in Angeles City, Pampanga in 1952. He was ordained a priest of the Diocese of Balanga in 1977. Since ordination, he has served in various pastoral and diocesan roles, most recently as chancellor of the Diocese of Balanga (since 2008); pastor of St. Dominic de Guzman Parish in Abuvay, Balanga (since 1986); director of the Biblical Apostolate (since 1986); director of the Commission on the Family and Life (since 2008); and member of the College of Consultors (since 2013).
The Episcopal ordination will be held at the Cathedral Shrine of St. Joseph in Balanga on August 29. (FP/Sunnex)