On 20 January 2017 the Holy Father appointed Fr. Pedro Baquero, SDB,
Vicar Provincial of the Salesians of Papua New Guinea and Solomon
Islands as Bishop of the Diocese of Kerema (Papua New Guinea).Father Pedro Baquero, S.D.B., was born in Manila, Philippines, on September 15, 1970. He attended primary and secondary schools at the Salesians in Pampanga. In 1989 he entered the Novitiate of the Society of Don Bosco, he professed his temporary vows on April 1, 1990.
He studied philosophy in Don Bosco College in Canlubang, Laguna, and theology at the Don Bosco Centre for Studies in Paranaque, Manila. He was ordained priest on December 8, 1999 at the Marian Shrine of Manila (Mary Help of Christians), in the Philippines.
Since his ordination, he has served the following roles: 2000-2006: Pastor in Lariau, Diocese of Kerema, Papua New Guinea; 2000-2004: Counselor of the Salesian Community in Lariau; 2004-2006: Director of the Salesian School of Lariau; 2006-2008: Parish priest in Araimiri, Diocese of Kerema; 2006-2010: Director of the Salesian School in Araimiri; 2010-2013: Director of the Technical School of Gabutu, Port Moresby; 2014-2016: Deputy head of the Salesians in Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands; since 2016: Vice-Provincial of the new Salesian Province of Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands.
The Diocese of Kerema (1971), is a suffragan of Port Moresby. It has an area of 34,000 square kilometers and a population of 160,000 inhabitants, of whom 26,200 are Catholic.
There are 11 parishes, 11 priests (6 diocesans and 5 religious), 10 brothers who are not priests, 14 religious women and 3 major seminarians.