New Caceres bishop named

Pope Benedict XVI yesterday announced the appointment of Auxiliary Bishop Jose Rojas of Caceres in Naga City as the new bishop of the Prelate of Libmanan in Camarines Sur.

The CBCPNews said that the 52-year-old Auxiliary Bishop Rojas would replace the 71-year-old Bishop Prospero Arellano who reportedly resigned because of illness.

The Pope accepted his resignation. Rojas’ appointment was announced simultaneously at the Vatican and the Philippines. Arellano has been the head of the Prelature of Libmanan since 1989.

Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines Archbishop Ed­ward Joseph Adams said Arellano’s resignation was accepted in accordance with Canon 401, paragraph 2 of the Code of Canon Law, where a prelate is requested to resign “because of illness or some other grave reason has become unsuited for the fulfillment of his office.”