KALIBO, Aklan— After a 10-month vacancy, the Diocese of Kalibo Bishop Cyril Villareal welcomed its fifth bishop Thursday, signaling renewed leadership for the local Church.
Faithful from neighboring dioceses filled the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist on April 23 to witness the episcopal ordination and installation rites.
Villareal, ordained priest for the Archdiocese of Capiz, was appointed by Pope Leo XIV on Jan. 24, 2026, following months of anticipation among clergy and laity.
He succeeds Bishop Jose Corazon Tala-oc, who retired in June 2025, leaving the diocese without a bishop during a prolonged administrative transition.
During the “sede vacante” period, the diocese was overseen by Archbishop Victor Bendico of Capiz as apostolic administrator.
In his homily, Cardinal Jose Advincula, former archbishop of Capiz and now archbishop of Manila, urged the new bishop to ‘recognize and guard goodness.’
“We pray that your shepherding of blessings becomes a ministry recognizing goodness, guarding goodness. May you bless the good Lord at all times and bless your people with goodness,” the cardinal said.
Villareal, 52, was ordained to the episcopate by Bendico as principal consecrator, with Bishops Tala-oc and Narciso Abellana of Romblon serving as co-consecrators.
After the ordination, Villareal was seated in his “cathedra,” or bishop’s chair, formally taking possession of the diocese of about 600,000 Catholics in 24 parishes and two mission stations across Aklan province.
Villareal recalled Advincula’s earlier encouragement — “You are chosen to serve” — saying the words strengthened his resolve to accept the episcopal responsibility entrusted to him.
Addressing the faithful, the new bishop pledged to lead as a listening and compassionate shepherd, promising prayerful guidance and care for the diocese he now serves.
“I promise that I will do my best to be a good shepherd to you—a shepherd who listens to you and cares for you, a shepherd who will pray for you, a shepherd who will bless you with the Lord,” he said.
Before his appointment, Villareal served as archdiocesan administrator of Capiz from 2021 to 2023, guiding the local Church through a transition following Advincula’s transfer to Manila.
