Pope appoints new bishop of Lucena

Fr. Mel Rey Uy MANILA— Pope Francis has named Fr. Mel Rey Uy, a priest of the Diocese of Romblon, as the new bishop of the Diocese of L...

Fr. Mel Rey Uy

MANILA— Pope Francis has named Fr. Mel Rey Uy, a priest of the Diocese of Romblon, as the new bishop of the Diocese of Lucena.

Uy, currently the diocesan economus of Romblon, succeeds Bishop Emilio Marquez who last year reached the canonical retirement age of 75.

Marquez, former chairman of the bishops’ Office on Women, retired after serving the diocese for almost 14 years.

The bishop-elect was born in San Agustin, Romblon, on January 6, 1968.

He completed philosophical studies at the San Pius X Seminary in Roxas City, and theology at the University of Santo Tomas in Manila, from where he later obtained a master’s degree in philosophy.

He was ordained a priest on May 24, 1994.

Among his previous assignments include being the spiritual director at the San Lorenzo Seminary in Romblon (1995 to 1996); director of the Holy Rosary Academy in San Augustin, Romblon (1995-2000); teacher at the San Lorenzo Seminary and parish priest of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in Carmen, San Agustin (1998-2004); Parish priest at the St. Antonio de Padua Parish of Agnipa, Romblon and diocesan Chancellor (2004-2009).

At present, Uy is serving as the director of both the Diocesan Commission on Liturgy and the Diocesan Pastoral Secretariat. CBCPNews