Pope Francis Names New Bishop of Ilagan

Pope Francis has appointed Nueva Segovia Auxiliary Bishop David William Antonio as the new bishop of the Diocese of Ilagan in this province.

Fr. Gregorio Marvic Uanan, chancellor-judicial vicar of the Diocese of Ilagan and parish priest of the Our Lady of Guibang said Bishop Antonio is the fifth bishop of the Diocese of Ilagan, succeeding Bishop Joseph Nacua who resigned in 2017 due to health reasons at the age of 73.

The 55-year old Antonio, however, will remain as apostolic administrator of San Jose in addition to his new position.

Bishop Antonio was officially ordained as Bishop in 2011. He gained his Doctorate Degree in Liturgy in the Catholic University in the United States and Regional Rector in the Catholic Seminary of the Diocese of Northern Luzon in the Immaculate Conception School of Theology.

Born in Sto. Domingo, Ilocos Sur, Antonio was ordained priest of Nueva Segovia in 1988. He was appointed to the episcopacy in 2011.

According to the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), Antonio was Pope Benedict XVI’s last appointee that was ordained to the episcopate in the Philippines before his historic abdication in 2013. (MDCT/MGE/PIA 2-Isabela)