A priest from Iloilo City has been appointed by Pope Francis as auxiliary bishop of Cebu.
Father Midyphil Billones’ appointment was announced by the Vatican on July 16.
The 50-year-old priest replaced Rev. Dennis Villarojo, who was appointed as the new bishop of Malolos.
Prior to his appoitment, Billones served as the Rector of St. Joseph Regional Seminary in Iloilo City.
A report by CBCP News said Billones, as auxiliary bishop, would assist Archbishop Jose Palma in running the Archdiocese of Cebu, the largest archdiocese in the country and in Asia.
Billones, a native of Panay, Capiz, completed his degree in Philosophy at St. Vincent Ferrer Seminary in Iloilo City. He also earned a degree in Theology at Loyola School of Theology in Manila.
Billones was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Jaro on Oct. 2, 1995 and he served as parochial vicar at the Jaro Metropolitan Cathedral for two years.
He also served as personal secretary to the late Archbishop Jover Piamonte and to retired Archbishop Angel Lagdame from 1997 to 2001.
Billones obtained his masters and doctorate degrees in Theology from Loyola School of Theology and Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, Italy, respectively.IMT
