Philippines: First Native Son of Kalinga Ordained Bishop, Installed as Apostolic Vicar of Tabuk

Bishop Sean Buslig Mejia was ordained bishop and installed as the third Apostolic Vicar of Tabuk in the northern Philippines during a solemn Eucharistic celebration at St. William’s Cathedral in Tabuk City, Kalinga Province, on June 2.

The Apostolic Vicariate of Tabuk serves the mountainous provinces of Kalinga and Apayao in the Cordillera Administrative Region, home to many indigenous communities in northern Luzon.

Archbishop Charles John Brown, Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines, served as principal consecrator and installing prelate. He was joined by Archbishop Ricardo Baccay of Tuguegarao and Bishop Prudencio Andaya Jr., CICM, former apostolic vicar of Tabuk, as co-consecrators. Archbishop David Antonio of Nueva Segovia delivered the homily.

The celebration drew 44 bishops, more than 300 priests, about 150 religious sisters and brothers, government officials, indigenous leaders, and thousands of faithful from across the country.

In his homily, Archbishop Antonio reflected on Bishop Mejia’s episcopal motto, Misericors Amor Eius Aeternus Est (“His Merciful Love is Eternal”), emphasizing that God’s call is rooted not in human achievement but in divine mercy.

“The God who has chosen you will never abandon you,” he said, urging the new bishop to reveal “the merciful and compassionate face of Jesus Christ.”

Archbishop Brown described the ordination as “a great day of joy and happiness” for the local Church.

Stressing the central role of the Eucharist in Catholic life, he encouraged the faithful to support their new shepherd through prayer, respect, and love. He also greeted Bishop Mejia’s mother, Nena Mejia, who celebrated her 85th birthday on the day of her son’s ordination.

In a message read during the celebration, Cardinal Jose Advincula of Manila said the new bishop is called to be “a shepherd after the heart of Christ” and encouraged him to serve with special concern for the poor, indigenous peoples, and those on the margins.

In his first address as bishop, Mejia thanked Pope Leo XIV, Church leaders, clergy, religious, family members, benefactors, and the faithful. Recalling the moment he learned of his appointment, he admitted he initially thought another priest had been chosen.

“If I have learned anything throughout my vocation story, it is that God’s mercy is far greater than my weaknesses,” he said.

Born in Bulanao, Tabuk City, in 1972, Bishop Mejia becomes the first native son of Kalinga to lead the Apostolic Vicariate of Tabuk. Before his appointment by Pope Leo XIV on March 3, 2026, he served in various pastoral, educational, and canonical ministries.

Established by St. John Paul II in 1992, the Apostolic Vicariate of Tabuk traces its roots to the missionary work of the CICM missionaries in the Cordillera region. Today it serves more than 500,000 people through evangelization, education, peacebuilding, and pastoral outreach in remote mountain communities.