AN AUXILIARY bishop from Cebu has been chosen by Pope Francis to serve the diocese of Malolos in Bulacan.
In a press conference on Tuesday, May 14, Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma announced that Auxiliary Bishop Dennis Villarojo has been designated by the Pope to lead the diocese of Malolos.
Palma made the announcement simultaneously with the Pope's announcement in Rome.
"Malolos has been longing for a bishop and the choice of Bishop Dennis is certainly a discernment that the nuncio has made," Palma said.
But Palma said they have yet to wait for announcements from Rome on who will replace the vacant posts of Villarojo and former Cebu Auxiliary bishop Oscar Florencio.
Last month, Florencio was elevated to the position of bishop of the Military Ordinariate of the Philippines.
In a separate interview, Villarojo said he is grateful to the Archdiocese for developing his ministry.
"Thank you to all of you, especially to the Archbishop for the support. I'm just grateful for this opportunity to serve in this capacity. I'm also grateful that im part of the presbyterium of the Archdiocese of Cebu," Villarojo said.
Upon his elevation, Villarojo will be the fifth bishop to serve the See of Malolos.
Born in Cebu City, Villarojo was ordained in 1994 following his studies at the San Carlos Seminary College.
Following his ordination, Villarojo served as personal secretary to the late Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal from 1994 to 1998.
He had served numerous roles in the Archdiocese of Cebu, including as coordinator of the Pastoral Planning Board since 2010.
On the same year, Villarojo had served as head of the team of pastors of the Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Parish in Barangay Capitol Site, a position that he continues to retain even after he was appointed auxiliary bishop in 2015.
Villarojo also served as secretary-general to the organizing committee of the 51st International Eucharistic Congress in Cebu back in 2016. (JKV)