Pope Francis attends the weekly general audience in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican, March 13, 2024. REUTERS/Guglielmo Mangiapane
MANILA, Philippines — A priest from Pangasinan was appointed by Pope Francis to lead the Diocese of Baguio.
According to a bulletin published by the Holy See Press Office on Thursday, Fr. Rafael Cruz is the new bishop of Baguio.
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“The Holy Father has appointed the Reverend Rafael T. Cruz of the clergy of the archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan, until now parish priest of Saint Ildephonse, Malasiqui, Pangasinan, and vicar forane, as bishop of the diocese of Baguio, Philippines,” the bulletin read.
Cruz succeeded Bishop Victor Bendico, who was assigned archbishop of the Archdiocese of Capiz in 2023.
Currently, Cruz is a parish priest at the Saint Ildephonse of Seville Parish Church.
He was ordained to the priesthood in 1985 and has degrees in counseling psychology and clinical psychology.
The Holy Father has appointed the Reverend Rafael T. Cruz of the clergy of the archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan, until now parish priest of Saint Ildephonse, Malasiqui, Pangasinan, and vicar forane, as bishop of the diocese of Baguio, Philippines.
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He has likewise served other roles in his priesthood, such as being a visiting professor in the Ateneo de Manila University, a spiritual director and a psychologist advisor to seminarians, and a teacher, among others.