Pope appoints new bishop of Kalibo diocese

The Holy Father on Wednesday has appointed Bishop Jose Corazon Tala-oc as the new head of the Diocese of Kalibo in Aklan province.

A native of Aklan, Tala-oc was the bishop of the island province of Romblon prior to being named in his new post.His appointment was announced at the Vatican on May 25 at 12:00 noon (6:00 pm, Manila time).

A staunch advocate of the environment, Tala-oc has been very vocal against mining activities in Romblon province, especially in scenic Sibuyan island.

In a multi-sectoral gathering held in Romblon during the 16th anniversary of Mining Act 1995, Tala-oc rallied the people to become “faithful stewards of creation” asserting that taking care of the environment is a moral intergenerational responsibility.”

Born on June 16, 1950, in Tagas, Tangalan, Aklan, Tala-oc finished his philosophy at the St. Pius X Seminary in Roxas City and theology at the University of Sto. Tomas’s Central Seminary. He was ordained a priest on April 9, 1979. Pope John Paul II appointed him to the episcopacy on June 11, 2003, and was installed as 4th Bishop of Romblon on September 3, 2003.

Tala-oc will take over the post vacated by Bishop Jose Romeo Lazo who in July 21, 2009, was appointed bishop of San Jose de Antique.

Since then, Kalibo has been under the care of Fr. Ulysses Dalida, who was appointed administrator of the diocese pending appointment of a new ordinary. No date yet has been set for the installation of the new bishop. (CBCPNews)

Notes: In an online research by Aklan Forum Journal, His Excellency Most Rev. Jose Corazon Tumbagahan Tala-oc was assigned as Assistant Pastor in St. Peter the Apostle Parish in Ibajay, Aklan from 1979 to 1980 and as parish priest in the neighboring St. Isidore the Farmer Parish in Nabas, Aklan for 12 years until 1992.

Tala-oc also served as Treasurer of Aklan College from 1992 to 1994 and a member of the Board of Trustees from 1992 to 1993. He was the parish priest of St. John the Baptist Cathedral Parish in Kalibo, Aklan from 1994 to 1997.

The new Bishop of Kalibo served as Rector of Sto. Nino Seminary in Numancia, Aklan from 1997 to 2001. He was the co-pastor in Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Parish in New Washington, Aklan from 2001 to 2002 before he was assigned as parish priest of Immaculate Conception Parish in Batan, Aklan from 2002 to 2003.

Tala-oc attended Tangalan Elementary School from 1959 to 1965 for his elementary education and his secondary studies in Tangalan Community High School from 1965 to 1969.

Last February 10, 2011, Pope Benedict XVI received Tala-oc and Dalida in Vatican City on their 'ad limina visit', the Vatican Information Service said.