Pope names new archbishop of Ilocos Sur

Pope Francis. AP PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Pope Francis has appointed Bishop Marlo Peralta of Alaminos, Pangasinan, the new archbishop of Nueva Segovia in Ilocos Sur.

Peralta, who was consecrated bishop in 2006, replaces the now retired Archbishop Ernesto Salgado, who  turned 77 last month, said an announcement posted on the website of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines.

Salgado served the archdiocese, which has a population of 718,000, 85 percent of whom are Catholics, for eight years.

Peralta, 63, who hails from San Carlos, Pangasinan, was ordained priest at the age of 25 in 1975.

Pope  Benedict XVI appointed him coadjutor bishop of Alaminos on January 14, 2006. He then became bishop of Alaminos by succession on July 1, 2007.

No date has been set for the installation of the new archbishop.