Pope Leo XIV Accepts Retirement of Parañaque Bishop Jesse Mercado; Cubao’s Bishop Ayuban Named Interim Administrator
Photo Courtesy of Roman Catholic Diocese of Parañaque / Faccebook (Uploaded: June 6, 2026 - 11:14 PM)
Pope Leo XIV has officially accepted the resignation of Diocese of Parañaque Bishop Jesse Mercado. The decision follows canonical requirements under Code of Canon Law Rule 401, which mandates that Catholic bishops submit their retirement upon reaching the age of 75.
The high-profile announcement was made on June 6, 2026, coinciding exactly with Mercado's 75th birthday. Papal Nuncio Archbishop Charles Brown delivered the news to the faithful during a celebratory birthday Mass held at the Mary Mother of Hope Chapel at The Landmark Manila Bay.
With the retirement taking immediate effect, the Vatican has entered a period of sede vacante (vacant see) for the Parañaque diocese. To manage the transition, Pope Leo XIV has designated Cubao Bishop Elias Ayuban Jr. to serve as the apostolic administrator. Ayuban will act as caretaker of the southern Metro Manila diocese alongside his current responsibilities in Cubao until a permanent successor is chosen and installed.
Passing the Pastoral Baton
Bishop Ayuban, a distinguished Claretian missionary and doctor of canon law, took over leadership of the Diocese of Cubao in late 2024. His appointment as interim caretaker mirrors historical precedents where neighboring bishops are trusted with temporary administrative reins during critical diocesan vacancies. Ayuban's canonical expertise is expected to guide the Parañaque clergy, religious communities, and lay faithful smoothly into its next chapter.
Reflecting on his transition during his birthday homily, Bishop Mercado framed the milestone as a natural evolution of his priestly calling. "The Church gently invites me toward retirement… toward becoming a bishop emeritus," Mercado shared.
A Legacy of Founding Leadership
Bishop Mercado steps down as the last active founding bishop among the original five spin-off dioceses carved out from the massive Archdiocese of Manila in the early 2000s.
Priesthood Beginnings: Ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Manila on March 19, 1977.
Episcopal Ordination: Appointed auxiliary bishop of Manila by Pope John Paul II in early 1997, receiving his episcopal ordination on March 31, 1997.
The Historic Shift: Named the first-ever bishop of the newly created Diocese of Parañaque on December 7, 2002. He was formally installed on January 28, 2003, shepherding the spiritual lives of millions across Parañaque, Las Piñas, and Muntinlupa.
Beyond his territorial borders, Mercado leaves a profound imprint on national church operations. He frequently held key roles within the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), heavily influencing lay movements and family advocacy programs as the former chairman of both the Episcopal Commission on the Laity and the Episcopal Commission on Family and Life. Internationally, he championed the formation of Filipino clergy abroad during his tenure as the rector of the Pontifical Collegio Filippino in Rome.
The Vatican has not yet signaled a timeline for the selection process of the next permanent Bishop of Parañaque.
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