Roberto Mallari Appointed as New Bishop of Tarlac

Bishop Roberto Mallari, the newly appointed bishop of the Diocese of Tarlac. DIOCESE OF SAN JOSE NUEVA ECIJA/FACEBOOK

DAVAO CITY — Pope Francis has appointed Bishop Roberto Mallari as the new shepherd of the Diocese of Tarlac, filling the position left vacant by the passing of Bishop Enrique Macaraeg in October 2023.

The announcement at noon in Rome (7 p.m. in the Philippines) marks a pivotal moment for the 61-year-old diocese.

Mallari’s transition from the Diocese of San Jose, where he served since July 2012, reflects his extensive pastoral experience and commitment to service. As Tarlac’s new bishop, he will guide a Catholic community of over 1.2 million people across 60 parishes, furthering the mission of the Church in Central Luzon.

Born in Masantol, Pampanga, Mallari’s path to the priesthood began at San Carlos Seminary in Makati City, where he completed his major seminary formation. His pursuit of deeper spiritual knowledge led him to earn a master’s degree in spirituality from the Priests School for Asia in Tagaytay City and continue his studies at the School for Priests in Florence, Italy.

Ordained as a priest for the Archdiocese of San Fernando on November 27, 1982, Mallari’s early assignments included serving as spiritual director at the Mother of Good Counsel Seminary in Pampanga. His leadership expanded nationally when he became executive secretary of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines’ Episcopal Commission on Family and Life (CBCP-ECFL) from 2000 to 2006.

Mallari’s episcopal journey began with his appointment as auxiliary bishop of San Fernando by Pope Benedict XVI on January 14, 2006. He was consecrated on March 27, 2006, and later appointed bishop of San Jose in May 2012.

Throughout his ministry, Mallari has played key roles within the CBCP, including serving as vice chairman of the CBCP-ECFL and chairman of the Episcopal Commission on Catechesis and Catholic Education. These positions highlight his dedication to fostering family values and education within the Church.

As he assumes leadership of the Diocese of Tarlac, Mallari’s deep spiritual grounding and wealth of experience position him to lead the diocese into a new chapter of growth and evangelization. His appointment is seen as a testament to his unwavering commitment to serving the faithful and strengthening the Church’s mission in the Philippines.