The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) said Iligan Bishop Jose Rapadas is the new head of CBCP Episcopal Commission on Basic Ecclesial Communities (BEC).
Rapadas was elected by the bishops during their seminar at the Pope Pius XII Catholic Center in Manila on Wednesday, Jan. 24.
CBCP said Rapadas succeeded Pagadian Bishop Ronald Lunas as the chairman following Lunas' passing on Jan. 2, 2023.
The Iligan bishop will lead the promotion of small Christian communities in the country.
"The commission coordinates the directions and thrusts of the BECs in keeping with the CBCP’s focus on “integral evangelization” and synodality at the various levels of the local Church," said CBCP.
The bishops also elected Zamboanga Archbishop Julius Tonel as the chairman of the CBCP Committee on Bishops’ Concern, a body catering to the personal concerns of the bishops.
CBCP said the members of the bishops’ Permanent Council and heads of various CBCP commissions, committees, and offices who were elected for a term from December 2023 to November 2025 will be sworn into office on Saturday, Jan. 27 during the assembly’s opening Mass.