Resignation of metropolitan archbishop of Jaro, Philippines, and appointment of successor

The Holy Father Francis has accepted the resignation from the pastoral care of the metropolitan archdiocese of Jaro, Philippines, presented by H.E. Msgr. Angel N. Lagdameo.

The Pope has appointed as metropolitan archbishop of Jaro,Philippines, H.E. Msgr. Jose Romeo Orquejo Lazo, transferring him from the see of San Jose de Antique.

H.E. Msgr. Jose Romeo Orquejo Lazo

H.E. Msgr. Jose Romeo Orquejo Lazo was born in San Jose de Buenavista Antique, in the diocese of San Jose de Antique, Philippines, on 23 January 1949. He carried out his secondary studies at the Saint Joseph Academy in San Jose, his studies in philosophy at the Saint Peter’s seminary, and finally theology courses at the Saint Vincent Ferrer Major Seminary in Jaro. He then completed further studies at the East Asian Pastoral Institute and the Institute of Pastoral theology in Berkeley, USA.

He was ordained a priest for the diocese of San Jose de Antique on 1 April 1975.

After some years as a parish priest in Dao, he served as spiritual director between 1978 and 1985, and then rector of the Saint Peter seminary in San Jose de Buenavista. In 1985 he became parish priest of Bugason and, in 1989, vicar general of the diocese of San Jose de Antique and rector of the Cathedral. In 1997 he became a member of the Assist program team organized by the Philippine Episcopate for the ongoing formation of local clergy.

He was appointed as bishop of Kalibo on 15 November 2003, and consecrated on the following 29 December. On 21 July 2009 he was transferred to the see of San Jose de Antique.