Philippine Franciscans elect new minister provincial

The Order of Friars Minor in the Philippines on Friday elected Fr. Lino Gregorio Redoblado as its new minister provincial.

Redoblado, 55, succeeded Fr. Cielito Almazan, who completed his six-year term.

His election came on the last day of the congregation’s provincial chapter held at the Poggio Bustone Renewal Center in Botolan, Zambales.

Born in Almeria, Leyte, he joined the congregation and made his first profession in May 1988. He took his final vows in May 1992 and was ordained a priest on October 22, 1994.

Before his studies in Rome, he was secretary of the OFM Province of San Pedro Bautista from 1995-1998.

In 2001, he obtained his licentiate in philosophy at Pontificio Ateneo Antonianum. In 2005, he finished his doctorate in philosophy magna cum laude at the Pontifical University Antonianum.

After returning to the Philippines, he served as provincial definitor and secretary for formation and studies; guardian, school director, Dean of the College of Our Lady of the Angels Seminary; and Secretary of the OFM East Asia Conference.

Redoblado also served as the secretary of the Association of Major Religious Superiors of the Philippines from 1995 to 1998 and AMRSP Board member from 2013 to 2015.

He was also co-secretary of the bishops’ Commission on Mutual Relations between Bishops and Religious, board member of the Task Force Detainees in the Philippines and vice chairperson of the Human Rights Defenders Philippines from 2010 to 2015.

In 2013, he was elected as minister provincial of the Province of San Pedro Bautista but his six-year term was cut short due to his election as Definitor General of the Order of Friars Minor in 2015 to 2021.

At present, he is assigned as a member of the pastoral team of St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Santiago, Isabela. (CBCP News)

A version of this article was first published by CBCP News.