MANILA, Sept. 9, 2012—From a Dominican to a Carmelite.
His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI named Prelature of Infanta Bishop Rolando J. Tria Tirona, OCD as Metropolitan of Caceres succeeding Archbishop Leonardo Z. Legaspi, OP.
Archbishop-elect Rolando Tria-Tirona, OCD
Tirona’s assumption to the See of Caceres makes him the 33rd prelate of the ecclesiastical province established in 1595. He is 66 years old.
Msgr. Joselito Asis, CBCP Secretary-General said the announcement was made on September 8 at 12 noon at the Vatican, 6 p.m. local time.
The newly-appointed Metropolitan of Caceres was born on July 22, 1946 in Kawit, Cavite and was ordained to the priesthood in April 21, 1974 and was appointed titular bishop of Vultura (Italy) and auxiliary bishop of Manila. He was ordained bishop in December 29, 1994.
Tirona was appointed apostolic administrator of Malolos on January 1996 and installed Bishop of Malolos in January 28, 1997. He was named Bishop of Infanta on June 28, 2003 and was installed August 27, 2003.
Legaspi who is 76, was president of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines from 1987 to 1991. He was appointed Metropolitan of Caceres in October 20, 1983 and installed in January 18, 1984. He has been a priest for over 51 years and bishop for 35 years while newly-appointed Archbishop Tirona has been a priest for 38 years and a bishop for over 17 years.
The suffragans of the Archdiocese of Caceres include the Dioceses of Legazpi, Sorsogon, Masbate, Daet, Virac and Libmanan. (Melo M. Acuna)
