New Cotabato Archbishop named

Pope names Bp. Angelito Lampon, OMI of Jolo as new Cotabato prelate

DAVAO CITY—The new Archbishop of Cotabato has been named.

Bishop Angelito Lampon, OMI of Jolo is named as successor of Orlando Cardinal Quevedo whose resignation has been accepted by the Vatican, November 6.

Born in M’lang, Cotabato on March 1, 1950, Archbishop-elect Lampon is a missionary of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate (OMI) who finished his philosophical studies at the University of Manila in Quezon City and Theology at Loyola School of Theology.

He was ordained to the priesthood March 26, 1977 and has been assigned in different areas like Lebak, Sultan Kudarat and Cotabato Cathedral in Cotabato City as parochial vicar. He also served as seminary formator in Cotabato City from 1979-81.

He also studied at South Asian Interdisciplinary Institute in Intramuros, Manila from 1981 to 1982. After that, he became Director of the Postulants and Scholastics of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate from 1982 to 1988.

He also became Provincial Superior of the Philippine Province of OMI from 1988 to 1992. He then served as General Councillor of OMI at their General Administration in Rome from 1992 to 1997 before he was named Bishop of Jolo on November 21, 1997.

He was consecrated bishop on January 6, 1998.

RESIGNATION ACCEPTED
Pope Francis has finally accepted the resignation of Orlando Cardinal Quevedo, the first cardinal from Mindanao. He was appointed cardinal last January 12, 2014.

It can be remembered that Cardinal Quevedo has reached the mandatory age of retirement for bishops when he turned 75 last March 11, 2014.

At the age of 79, Cardinal Quevedo’s resignation was accepted by Pope Francis November 6, 2018 minutes before he named his successor.

In an interview with DCHerald during the retreat of the Cotabato Clergy in Davao City last November 6, when the announcement was made, Fr. Simeon Samson said that he is sad that Cardinal Quevedo is already retired from his duties to the archdiocese.

“You know how good he is as our father in the archdiocese. However, I am also happy because we have a new shepherd,” Fr. Samson said.

“I look forward to be working with Bp. Lito especially in ministering the faithful of the Archdiocese of Cotabato,” Fr. Samson added.

The new archbishop will have his canonical installation on January 31, 2019.