Pope Leo XIV has accepted the resignation of Bishop Leopoldo C. Jaucian, S.V.D., from his pastoral leadership of the Diocese of Bangued in Abra, the Vatican announced on Saturday, November 7.
The Holy See Press Office confirmed the decision in its official bulletin on resignations and appointments, stating that the Pope accepted Jaucian's resignation from the pastoral care of the diocese.
Jaucian, 66, had led the Diocese of Bangued for nearly 19 years after Pope Benedict XVI appointed him bishop on January 5, 2007. He received his episcopal ordination on March 26, 2007, and was formally installed on March 31 of the same year.
The acceptance of his resignation was made under Paragraph 2 of Canon 401 of the Code of Canon Law, which provides for the resignation of a diocesan bishop who becomes unable to fulfill his duties because of ill health or another grave reason.
However, the Vatican's announcement did not specify the particular reason for Jaucian's resignation.
Jaucian is a member of the Society of the Divine Word (SVD), a Catholic missionary congregation. He also currently serves as chairman of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) Episcopal Commission on Mission.
He previously headed the CBCP's Episcopal Commissions on Youth and Mutual Relations.
Following the acceptance of his resignation, the Diocese of Bangued becomes vacant pending the appointment of a successor by the Pope.
Under Church law, the College of Consultors of the diocese is expected to elect a diocesan administrator to oversee its affairs while awaiting the appointment of a new bishop.
The Vatican has yet to announce Jaucian's successor.
