Pope Francis has appointed Fr. Rufino “Jun” Sescon Jr. of the Archdiocese of Manila as the new bishop of the Diocese of Balanga, which has been vacant for over a year.
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) announced the appointment in a statement on Tuesday, Dec. 3.
Fifty-two-year-old Sescon will lead the diocese, which covers the province of Bataan.
The position had been vacant since July 2023, following the appointment of Bishop Ruperto Santos to the Diocese of Antipolo.
Since 2022, Sescon has served as the rector of the Minor Basilica and National Shrine of Jesus Nazareno, or Quiapo Church.
He was ordained in 1998 and served as personal secretary to then-Manila Archbishop Cardinal Jaime Sin.
Over the years, he has held several key roles in the archdiocese, including chancellor and administrator of Villa San Miguel.
Before his appointment to Quiapo Church, Sescon was chaplain of Greenbelt Chapel and priest-in-charge of Mary, Mother of Hope Chapel at Landmark, both in Makati City.
In addition to his pastoral work, Sescon is actively involved in the archdiocese’s programs. He serves as commissioner for the Formation of the Laity and Christian Communities, director of the San Lorenzo Ruiz Lay Formation Center, and member of the Presbyteral Council.
He is also the executive director of the Catholic Mass Media Awards or CMMA.