Pope Francis on Thursday, June 23, appointed Msgr. Ruben Labajo as auxiliary bishop of Cebu.
The Vatican announced that Msgr. Labajo, until now the Vicar General of the same archdiocese, will be ordained as bishop.
Like current Auxiliary Bishop Midyphil Billones, his task is to assist Archbishop Jose Palma as the chief shepherd of the archdiocese.
Born September 24, 1966, in Talisay City, he completed his philosophy and theology studies at the San Carlos Seminary College in Cebu.
He was ordained priest for the Cebu archdiocese on June 10, 1994.
Among his previous positions, he served as parish vicar in Mandaue City from 1995 to 1997; pastor of Santa Fe Parish in Bantayan Island; and moderator at the parish of St. Joseph in Talisay’s Tabunok village.
He also served as moderator of the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral and vicar forane of the Vicariate of the Most Holy Rosary from 2014 to 2019.
In 2017, he became a member of the archdiocese’s Council of Consultors, Episcopal Vicar of the archdiocese’s 1st District, and member of the Presbyteral Council.
In 2020, the bishop-elect was appointed vicar general and moderator of the St. Francis Assisi Parish in Balamban town.
The date for Msgr. Labajo’s episcopal ordination has yet to be announced.