MANILA (SE): On October 8, the Vatican announced the creation of the new Diocese of Prosperidad, located in Agusan del Sur province, Mindanao. Pope Francis has appointed Bishop Ruben Labajo, who is currently serving as an auxiliary bishop in the Archdiocese of Cebu, as the inaugural bishop of this new diocese, as reported by CBCP News on October 15.
The Diocese of Prosperidad was established by separating it from the existing Diocese of Butuan, which has been in place for 57 years and will now encompass only Agusan del Norte. This division was initiated following a petition by Bishop Cosme Damian Almedilla of Butuan in 2023.
Bishop Almedilla has characterized this division as a “strategic move” to promote spiritual growth among the faithful and improve administrative efficiency in both dioceses. He described Agusan del Sur as a “missionary frontier,” highlighting its landlocked and mountainous geography, where approximately one-third of the population consists of indigenous peoples.
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines approved the petition on 9 July 2023, which led to the formation of the new diocese, according to RVA News.
Prosperidad is now recognized as the 87th diocese in the Philippines and will operate as a suffragan diocese under the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro. The new diocese serves nearly 800,000 residents, with approximately 486,000 Catholics distributed among 26 parishes, one quasi-parish, and three mission stations. It is supported by 32 diocesan priests, 29 religious priests, and six sisters.
Bishop Labajo, born on 26 September 1966, was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Cebu on 10 June 1994. He was appointed as an auxiliary bishop of Cebu by Pope Francis in June 2022 and was consecrated on 19 August 2022.
