New Vicar Apostolic for Bontoc-Lagawe (Philippines)

The Holy Father has appointed Fr. Valentin Cabbigat Dimoc, the new Apostolic Vicar of the Vicariate of Bontoc-Lagawe, Philippines. He is assigned the titular see of Bapara.

Rev. Valentin Cabbigat Dimoc, was born Feb. 14, 1969, in Lagawe, Ifugao. After his priestly ordination he studied Social Development at the Asian Social Institute  in Manila.

As a priest he rendered his services in the vicariate in different capacities. 

1998 – 2000: Rector of the Mission of Holy Rosary, Kayan, Tadian, Mountain Province;
since 2000: Director of the Center for Social Action and Development of the Vicariate;
2006: Secured  Master of Arts degree  in Development Managment from Asian Institute of Management, Makati City;
2004 - 2007: Rector of the Holy Family Mission, Hapao, Hugduan, Ifugao;
2007 - 2010: Rector of the Mission - Saint Mary Magdalene, Lagawe, Ifugao;
since 2007: Director of the Centre Karaguan, Lagawe, Ifugao;
2010-2012: Rector of Good Shepherd Mission Hapid, Lamut, Ifugao;
 and from 2013: Director of the Center for Social Action and Development and rector of the Mission Station of Ayangan.of the Vicariate.

Bishop-elect Dimoc will the fifth bishop of the vicariate, which covers the two civil provinces of Ifugao and the Mountain Province. The vicariate has been without bishop since January 2013 after Bishop Rodolfo Beltran, who served the area for seven years, was and installed as bishop of La Union. For two years, it was under the care of Fr. Joseph Requino who was named administrator by the Vatican.

With his appointment as new prelate, Dimoc will be the 133rd  member of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, of which 94 are active and 39 retired.

No date has been set for the Episcopal ordination and installation of Dimoc as bishop of Bontoc-Lagawe. 

The Apostolic Vicariate of Bontoc-Lagawe erected in 1992, has an area of ​​4,615 square kilometers and a population of 360,526 inhabitants, of whom 215,286 are Catholics. There are 22 parishes served by 30 priests (26 diocesan and 4 religious), 12 nuns and 31 seminarians.