Pope Leo XIV has accepted the resignation of Bishop Leopoldo Jaucian, ending his nearly 19-year leadership of the Diocese of Bangued in Abra.
The Vatican announced the decision on Saturday, Nov. 7.
Jaucian, 66, was appointed bishop of Bangued by Pope Benedict XVI on Jan. 5, 2007. He received episcopal ordination on March 26 that year and was installed on March 31.
He belongs to the Society of the Divine Word (SVD), one of three active Filipino bishops from the religious congregation.
Jaucian currently chairs the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines Episcopal Commission on Mission.
He previously headed the Episcopal Commission on Mutual Relations and the Episcopal Commission on Youth.
The Holy See Press Office said the pope accepted Jaucian’s resignation under Paragraph 2 of Canon 401 of the Code of Canon Law, which covers bishops unable to perform their duties because of ill health or another grave reason.
Under Church law, the College of Consultors must elect a diocesan administrator within eight days after a diocese becomes vacant, or sede vacante.
The administrator oversees its temporary governance until a new bishop is appointed.
Jaucian’s departure brings to seven the number of vacant Catholic church territories in the Philippines.
These comprise the dioceses of Bangued, Parañaque, Masbate, Kabankalan, Ilagan and Borongan, as well as the Apostolic Vicariate of Jolo.