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New diocese of Prosperidad to install first bishop

January 27, 2025 People's Journal 329 views

BUTUAN CITY – Most Rev. Ruben Labajo will be installed as the first bishop of the newly-created Diocese of Prosperidad in Agusan del Sur today.

Labajo arrived Monday morning at Nasipit Port in Agusan del Norte, where he was welcomed by clergy from the Diocese of Butuan. He proceeded to the residence of Most Rev. Cosme Damian Almedilla, bishop of the Butuan Diocese.

Pope Francis announced the creation of the Diocese of Prosperidad on Oct. 15, 2023. The new diocese will serve approximately 486,000 Catholics in Agusan del Sur, formally separating from the Diocese of Butuan which covers Agusan del Norte.

“Let me share with you my joy and excitement to be here in Prosperidad, the see of the new diocese of the beautiful province of Agusan del Sur,” Labajo said during a press conference Monday.

Labajo, ordained a priest in 1994 in the Archdiocese of Cebu, was appointed bishop by Pope Francis in 2022. He previously served as auxiliary bishop of the archdiocese before being named the first bishop of Prosperidad in October 2024.

“I see myself as a traveler arriving in this corner of the vast and beautiful land of promise to start a new ministry that is full of promise and challenges as journeys of new beginnings go,” Labajo said.

He added that Pope Francis’ mandate is clear: To shepherd the people of God in the Diocese of Prosperidad.

Agusan del Sur Gov. Santiago Cane Jr. welcomed Labajo during the press conference, emphasizing collaboration between the provincial government and the diocese.

`“The provincial government and the Diocese of Prosperidad are serving the same people. There is no conflict,” Cane said.

He clarified that by law, the provincial government cannot use public funds for religious purposes, regardless of denomination.

Cane also thanked Almedilla and the Diocese of Butuan for nurturing Agusan del Sur’s faithful for the past years. Philippine News Agency

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