Baylon is New Bishop of Legazpi

MANILA, October 1, 2009-The Vatican announced at 6:00 PM Thursday (Manila Time) the appointment of Masbate Bishop Joel Baylon as new bishop of the Diocese of Legazpi in Albay province.

The Diocese of Legazpi, with over a million Catholics, has been under an apostolic administrator, Bishop Lucilo Quiambao, after the resignation of Bishop Nestor Cariño in November 2007.

The news of Bishop Baylon's reassignment was disseminated by the Media Office of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) citing an official announcement by the Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Edward Joseph Adams.

The 55-year old prelate is currently the Bishop of Masbate and chairman of the Episcopal Commission on Youth, CBCP's executive arm that oversees the activities of the youth apostolate.

Baylon is also known for his anti-mining stand. Recently, he led a protest rally against the Filminera, a foreign mining company now in operation at Puro, Bangom, Amoroy, Capsay and Panique villages in Aroroy town.

Bishop Baylon was born in Milaor, Camarines Sur on January 29, 1954. At the age of 24, he was ordained priest in 1978.

In February 1998, the late Pope John Paul II appointed him as bishop of the Diocese of Masbate where he has been serving for 11 years now.

No date has been set yet for the installation of Baylon as the new bishop of Legazpi. (Roy Lagarde)