Pope Francis has appointed Rev. Fr. Noel Pedregosa as the new bishop of the Diocese Malaybalay in Bukidnon province.
Pedregosa's appointment was announced by Papal nuncio Archbishop Charles Brown, according to the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) News post.
His appointment was officially announced by the Vatican during the feast of Saints Peter and Paul last June 29, said the CBCP.
“My immediate reaction was, Your Excellency, are you serious?” the CBCP News report stated, quoting Pedregosa on Saturday, July 3.
"Initially, the 56-year-old 'could not believe' what he heard but 'out of love for the Lord and the Church,' he accepted the new role," the CBCP said.
Pedregosa will be the fifth bishop of Malaybalay. He succeeded Archbishop Jose Cabantan, who now assumes a new bishop role in Cagayan de Oro.
Prior to his episcopal appointment, the CBCP said that Pedregosa served as vicar general of the diocese and rector of Malaybalay Cathedral since 2017.
"In July 2020, he was appointed as diocesan administrator of Malaybalay. The date of his ordination and installation will be announced later," the CBCP said.