Leo XIV accepts Parañaque prelate’s retirement
Pope Leo XIV accepted on Saturday the retirement of Parañaque Bishop Jesse Mercado after he reached the mandatory retirement age of 75 years on June 6.
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) reported that Papal Nuncio Archbishop Charles Brown announced the decision during a Mass for Mercado’s birthday at San Agustin Parish Church in Parañaque City.
At the same time, the Vatican Representative said the Holy Father has appointed Bishop Elias Ayuban Jr. of Cubao as apostolic administrator sede vacante (the seat being vacant) of Parañaque.
Ayuban will be the caretaker of the diocese until a new bishop is installed. Mercado was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Manila on March 19, 1977. He was appointed auxiliary bishop of Manila on Feb. 25, 1997, and was ordained to the episcopate on March 31 of the same year.
