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The New Bishops of Gumaca and Cubao

by Joel Ocampo


On September 30, 2024, Memorial of Saint Jerome, the Holy Father Pope Francis appointed Rev. Fr. Euginius L. Cañete, until now Coordinator General of the Missionaries of Jesus, as the new Bishop of Gumaca, Quezon Province, Philippines.


Four days after, on October 4, 2024, Memorial of Saint Francis of Assisi, the Holy Father accepted the resignation of His Excellency, Most Rev. Honesto F. Ongtioco, D.D., of the Diocese of Cubao, and appointed Rev. Fr. Elias L. Ayuban, C.M.F., until now provincial superior of the Filipino Claretian Province, as Cubao’s new bishop.


Bishop-Elect Cañete

Rev. Fr. Euginius L. Cañete was born on July 8, 1966 in Municipality of Liloan, Province of Cebu. He studied Psychology at the Maryshore Major Seminary and La Salle College in Bacolod City. He studied Philosophy and Theology at Maryhill School of Theology. He continued his studies at the Pontifical Gregorian University of Rome where he obtained Licentiate in Canon Law. He received his Ordination to the Sacred Order of Presbyters on December 18, 1995.


As a priest, Father Cañete served in the following ministries:

  • Parish Priest, Saint Mary Immaculate, Zambia, Southern Africa (1996-1999);

  • Delegate, General Chapter (1999);

  • Member, Pastoral Team at Saint Maximilian Kolbe, Zambia (2000);

  • Professor, Institute of Formation and Religious Studies, Quezon City (2004-2005);

  • Director of the Postulancy and Aspirancy, Missionaries of Jesus Formation Community, Quezon City (2005-2006);

  • Professor, Inter-Congregational Theological Centre, Quezon City (2005-2021);

  • Associate, Missionaries of Jesus Novitiate, Antipolo City;

  • Member, Matrimonial Tribunal, Diocese of Novaliches;

  • Visiting Professor, Saint Alphonsus Theological Mission Seminary, Davao City (2006-2007);

  • Member, Matrimonial Tribunal, Diocese of Antipolo (2006-2009);

  • Secretary General Ad Interim, Missionaries of Jesus Generalate, Antipolo City (2007-2009);

  • Counsellor General, Missionaries of Jesus, Antipolo City (2009-2015);

  • Secretary General, Missionaries of Jesus, Antipolo City (2009-2021);

  • Rector, Missionaries of Jesus Scholasticate, Antipolo City (2010-2020);

  • Professor, Recollects School of Theology (2011-2020), the Institute of Consecrated Life in Asia/ICLA (2012) and the Maryhill School of Theology, Quezon City (2013);

  • Vicar General, Missionaries of Jesus, Antipolo City (2015-2021);

  • Member, General Finance Committee of Missionaries of Jesus, Antipolo City (2015-2021); and

  • Coordinator general, Missionaries of Jesus, Antipolo City (2021).


In one of his interviews, after his appointment was announced, Bishop-Elect Cañete said, “I was happy, but I was kind of surprised; but always at the back of my mind, that's another call. So, it's always a call to service, and for that, I am ready… I don't really know Gumaca because I have not been there...It must be very challenging. I was thinking, I started as a missionary, I was sent to a place unknown to me, to be there is a sense of mission. So, that kind of orientation, perspective has made me realize that this will be another world unknown to me”


Bishop-Elect Ayuban

Rev. Fr. Elias L. Ayuban, C.M.F. or “Fr. Eli” as he is fondly called, was born on January 1, 1968 (Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God), in Municipality of Parang, Province of Maguindanao del Norte, in the Archdiocese of Cotabato. He studied philosophy at Saint Anthony Mary Claret College of Philosophy (1985-1989), followed by Theology at the Loyola School of Theology, Ateneo de Manila University in Quezon City (1991-1996). He was also awarded a Doctorate in Canon Law at the Pontifical Lateran University (2002-2003).


As a member of the Claretian Missionaries (CMF), Father Ayuban made his First Profession on May 5, 1991, in Zamboanga City. On July 16, 1995 (Memorial of the Our Lady of Mt. Carmel), he made his Perpetual Profession in Quezon City. He received his Ordination to the Sacred Order of Presbyters on March 9, 1996 in Quezon City.


As a priest, Bishop-Elect Ayuban served in the following ministries:

  • Parish Priest, Risen Christ Parish, Tungawan, Zamboanga Sibugay (1996-2000).

  • Rector, Claret Theology House, Quezon City (2004-2008);

  • Professor of Canon Law, University of Santo Tomas (2004-2011)

  • Professor of Canon Law, Institute for Consecrated Life Asia in Quezon City (2008-2010),

  • Chairman, Commission for the Consecrated Life of the Canon Law Society of the Philippines (2005-2011);

  • Ecclesiastical Judge, Diocesan Tribunal of Novaliches;

  • Local Superior, Claret Theology House (2009-2010);

  • Rector, Prefect of Formation, and Provincial Councilor at Saint Anthony Mary Claret College-Seminary (2010-2011);

  • Member, Institutum Iuridicum Claretianum in Rome,

  • Member, Dicastery for the Institutes of Consecrated Life and the Societies of Apostolic Life in Rome (2012-2019),

  • Vicar Superior, Community of Iuridicum in Rome (2013-2019);

  • Co-chairperson, Conference of Major Superiors in the Philippines (CMSP), formerly known as the Association of Major Religious Superiors in the Philippines (AMRSP); 

  • Provincial Superior, Fr. Rhoel Gallardo Province, comprising Philippines, Australia, Vietnam and Myanmar (2019-present).


Bishop-Elect Ayuban also authored numerous publications such as the following:

  • Canonical Issues Related to Religious Life: 200 Practical Questions and Answers (2005);

  • Procedures and Formularies for the Use of Religious Institutes (2011);

  • Non-Collegial Acts in Religious Institutes: A Study of Canons 127 §§ 1-3 and 665 § 1 (2005);

  • Charism and Foundation: Canonical Aspects in the Establishment of Institutes of Consecrated Life (2006 and 2007); and

  • Duties, Rights, and Faculties of Provincial Superiors in Clerical Religious Institutes According to the New Code of Canon Law in the Light of the Tria Munera of the Church (2009).


In response to the call of Pope Francis to serve as Cubao’s new bishop, Bishop-Elect Ayuban said in his Facebook post: “Thank you, Pope Francis, for the trust. Thank you, brother priests, fellow consecrated persons, and sisters and brothers in the Diocese of Cubao for receiving this lowly servant as one of your own. Thank you everyone for your felicitations and promise of a remembrance in your prayers. The only worthy and adequate response to such a sublime CALL is to take off one’s shoes and listen. These days, I will spend ample time listening to this VOICE as I undergo my spiritual exercises. For my part, I also promise to keep your intentions in my heart.”

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