Elias Lumayog Ayuban Jr.[1] (born January 1, 1968) is a Filipino bishop of the Roman Catholic Church. He is a Claretian clergyman who currently serves as the second bishop of Diocese of Cubao since 2024.


Elias Ayuban Jr.

Bishop-elect of Cubao
ProvinceManila
SeeCubao
AppointedOctober 4, 2024
InstalledDecember 3, 2024
PredecessorHonesto Ongtioco
Orders
OrdinationMarch 9, 1996
ConsecrationDecember 3, 2024
by Jose Advincula
Personal details
Born (1968-01-01) January 1, 1968 (age 56)
NationalityFilipino
Alma materSaint Anthony Mary Claret College
Ateneo de Manila University
MottoMisericordes sicut Pater
('Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful', Luke 6:36)
Coat of armsElias Ayuban Jr.'s coat of arms
Styles of
Elias Ayuban, Jr.
Reference style
Spoken styleYour Excellency
Religious styleBishop

Early life and education

edit

Ayuban was born on January 1, 1968 in the town of Parang in the historical province of Cotabato (now Maguindanao del Norte). He took philosophy at the Saint Anthony Mary Claret College and theology at the Ateneo de Manila University; both in Quezon City.[2] He received a doctorate in canon law from the Pontifical Lateran University in Rome in 2003.[3]

Ministry

edit

Ayuban gave his religious vows on July 16, 1995. He was ordained as a priest on March 9, 1996, in Quezon City. His first assignment was as the parish priest of the Risen Christ in what was then part of Zamboanga del Sur from 1996 to 2000.[2] He took up various positions locally and in the Vatican. Ayuban also held academic roles, including at the Institute for Consecrated Life Asia and the Claret Theology House in Quezon City, and the University of Santo Tomas.[2][3]

Ayuban is the superior of the Filipino Claretian Province since 2019.[4]

On October 4, 2024, Ayuban was appointed as the second bishop of Diocese of Cubao where he will succeed Bishop Honesto Ongtioco upon his episcopal ordination and canonical possession on December 3, 2024 with Cardinal Jose Advincula as the Principal Consecrator with Bishop Alberto Uy and Bishop Honesto Ongtioco as the as Co-Consecrators.[2] He is the second Filipino Claretian bishop to be installed as bishop after Leo Dalmao of the Prelature of Isabela de Basilan. José María Querejeta, a Spaniard, is the first ever Claretian bishop assigned to a bishop role in the Philippines, also in Basilan.[5] His episcopal ordination and the rite of canonical possession-installation will solemnly be held at Cubao Cathedral on December 3, coinciding with the feast of Francis Xavier.[6]

Political positions

edit

Ayuban publicly makes his positions in sociopolitical issues through editorials and social media posts.[3] He wrote a critical piece against then-president Rodrigo Duterte for the executive's remarks of God being "stupid" in a 2018 column in La Croix International.[3][7]

He supported then-vice president Leni Robredo's presidential campaign for the 2022 election. In contrast, Ayuban posted #NeverAgain in reaction to Bongbong Marcos' win, a reference to the dictatorship of his father, former president Ferdinand Marcos.[3] Writing for the CBCP, Ayuban also made his position against legalizing civil divorce in the Philippines known.[3][8]

edit

References

edit
  1. ^ "Pope Francis Appointed Fr. Elias L. Ayuban, Jr., CMF, New Bishop Of Cubao". Claretian Missionaries - General Curia. October 4, 2024. Retrieved October 6, 2024.
  2. ^ a b c d "Resignations and Appointments, 04.10.2024". Summary of Bulletin. Holy See Press Office. October 4, 2024. Retrieved October 6, 2024.
  3. ^ a b c d e f Esmaquel, Paterno II (October 6, 2024). "Who is Elias Ayuban Jr., new Catholic bishop of southern Quezon City?". Rappler. Retrieved October 6, 2024.
  4. ^ "Pope Francis appoints new bishop for Cubao diocese". GMA News. October 4, 2024. Retrieved October 6, 2024.
  5. ^ Patinio, Ferdinand (October 5, 2024). "Pope Francis names new bishop of Cubao diocese". Philippine News Agency. Retrieved October 6, 2024.
  6. ^ "Cubao diocese sets ordination, installation for new bishop". Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines. October 8, 2024. Retrieved October 10, 2024.
  7. ^ Ayuban, Elias (August 20, 2018). "Standing up for God and the Church". La Croix International. Retrieved October 6, 2024.
  8. ^ Ayuban, Elias (July 2, 2024). "Divorce: The spirit of the law". CBCP News. Retrieved October 6, 2024.
Catholic Church titles
Preceded by Bishop of Cubao
December 3, 2024–
Incumbent