New Spiritual Leader for Northern Nueva Ecija
In a significant development for the Catholic community in Northern Luzon, Pope Leo XIV has appointed Father Samuel Agcaracar as the new bishop of the Diocese of San Jose de Nueva Ecija. This appointment, made on Friday night, November 21, 2025, brings to a close the diocese's eight-month period without a permanent spiritual leader.
Ending an Eight-Month Vacancy
The Diocese of San Jose de Nueva Ecija had been waiting for nearly eight months for this appointment since Bishop Roberto Mallari's transfer to head the Diocese of Tarlac. According to CBCP News, this decision finally provides the diocese with a new shepherd to guide the faithful in Northern Nueva Ecija.
From Teacher to Bishop: Agcaracar's Journey
The newly appointed bishop brings a rich background of service and education to his new role. Born in Claveria, Cagayan, Agcaracar began his journey in the church as a teacher while simultaneously serving as a catechist at his home parish of St. Joseph.
His academic and spiritual formation includes:
- Philosophy studies at Christ the King Seminary in Quezon City
- Theology education at the Divine Word School of Theology in Tagaytay
- Ordination to priesthood in 2007
- Doctorate in missiology from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome
Prior to this appointment, Father Agcaracar had been serving as rector of the Divine Word Seminary in Tagaytay City and as provincial admonitor of the SVD Philippine Central Province. His previous roles also included serving as high school director at the Divine Word College of Calapan in Oriental Mindoro and teaching positions at both the Divine Word Seminary and the Divine Word Institute of Mission Studies in Tagaytay.
The Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines has indicated that the specific date for Bishop Agcaracar's episcopal ordination and installation will be announced at a later time, allowing the diocese and the wider Catholic community to prepare for this important transition in leadership.
