New Appointed Bishop in the Vicariate of Bontoc-Lagawe
Manila (AsiaNews) - The Holy Father has appointed Father Cornelio GalleoWigwigan today, April 15, as the new Apostolic Vicar of Bontoc-Lagawe. He replaces Jesuit Bishop Francisco Claver, appointed in November1995, who has tendered his resignation on his 75thbirthday last January.
The Vicariate consists of two provinces: Mountain Province and Ifugao (population circa 32,000 with 65% Catholics).
"To the Filipinos of Northern Philippines, this appointment is important. The Catholic Church in the Philippines, over the last few years, seems to be choosing Bishops from the local area," Jesuit Father Jim Reuter of the National Office of Mass Media told AsiaNews. "Father Wigwigan was born in the Mountain Province and was raised and educated there." Retired Bishop Francisco Claver was himself born in Bontoc.
Born in 28 May 1942 in the town of Sabangan, Mountain Province, Father Wigwigan was ordained on 26 December1966. Before his appointment, he was the Vicar General of the Vicariate, Rector of the Sta. Rita Catholic Mission in Bontoc and Director of the St. Peter Seminary, also in Bontoc.
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