Philippines: New San Jose Bishop Commits to Dialogue, Synodality, and Care for Creation

The newly ordained bishop of San Jose, Nueva Ecija, Philippines has pledged to lead the local Church through deeper dialogue, synodality, and close engagement with the people, describing these as central to his pastoral mission.

Bishop Samuel Agcaracar, SVD made this commitment following his episcopal ordination on January 17 at the Holy Spirit Chapel of the Divine Word Seminary in Tagaytay City, Philippines. His Ordination was led by Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization in the Vatican.

Bishop Agcaracar stressed that the Church must continue to walk with all sectors of society to promote lasting and meaningful change.

“Although we are a Catholic country, we as a Church should continue to dialogue and create opportunities to network with the government and other agencies with whom we can share our vision and transform our society,” Bishop Agcaracar said.

He highlighted synodality, listening, journeying together, and shared discernment, as the guiding spirit of his episcopal leadership. The bishop also emphasized the importance of living closely with the people entrusted to his care, saying this is essential to becoming a truly pilgrim Church.

Among his pastoral priorities is the strengthening of Basic Ecclesial Communities (BECs), which he described as a vital platform for evangelization, particularly in small and grassroots communities.

“I have heard that our diocese in San Jose has strong Basic Ecclesial Communities. That is already a very good platform for us to enhance and incorporate into the biblical ministry,” he said, adding that communities must be deeply rooted in the Word of God to flourish.

Care for creation also features prominently in Bishop Agcaracar’s vision, inspired by the spirit of Laudato Si’. He shared his advocacy, “We Are All Farmers,” as a call to shared responsibility for the environment and solidarity with farmers, especially as Nueva Ecija is known as the rice bowl of the Philippines.

“The spirit of Laudato Si’, for me, is a spirituality, a call for conversion. ‘We are all farmers’ is not just a socio-political statement, but an invitation to take care of our common home,” he explained.

The bishop also encouraged priests and lay faithful to work together in advancing the Church’s mission, noting that many people are ready to serve if given the opportunity. “There are many good people waiting to be tapped, willing to contribute to the Church’s mission,” he said.

During the ordination, Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines Charles John Brown underscored unity as the primary task of a bishop. He said the oneness of the Church is a visible sign of God’s love, calling the bishop to be a source of communion amid divisions and polarizations.

“The job of a bishop is to make us all one in Christ,” Archbishop Brown said, praying for the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary as Bishop Agcaracar begins his ministry.

In his homily, Luis Antonio Tagle, Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization, reflected on Christ’s universal authority and the bishop’s role as a sign of communion in the local and universal Church. He reminded the new bishop that moments of uncertainty and apparent fruitlessness are part of episcopal ministry.

“When those moments come, calm down, pray, listen, and then go,” Cardinal Tagle said, assuring him of the Risen Lord’s promise: “I will be with you until the end of the age.”

The episcopal ordination was also assisted by Papal Nuncio to the Philippines, Archbishop Brown and San Jose Occidental Mindoro Bishop Pablito Tagura, SVD.

Bishop Agcaracar’s installation as bishop of the Diocese of San Jose in Nueva Ecija is scheduled for February 6, 2026.