The oldest living Filipino prelate celebrated his 50th anniversary as bishop yesterday, the Feast of Saint James the Apostle. Bishop Emeritus Pedro N. Bantigue of San Pablo is not only the oldest living Filipino bishop by age but also by date of Episcopal ordination, according to an article posted on the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines website. He was ordained bishop on July 25, 1961 by Rufino Cardinal Jiao Santos, then Archbishop of Manila, and was given the Titular See of Catula and appointed auxiliary bishop of Manila. Upon the creation of the Diocese of San Pablo in the northern Philippine province of Laguna, Bishop Bantigue was appointed its first bishop by Pope Paul VI. Born in Hagonoy town in Bulacan province on January 31, 1920, Bishop Bantigue proved to be a trusted priest in the Archdiocese of Manila. Shortly after his priestly ordination in 1945, he served as private secretary to three archbishops of Manila: Archbishop Michael J. O’Doherty, Archbishop Gabriel Reyes, and Cardinal Santos. As a young prelate, he participated in the third session of the Second Vatican Council in 1964. Upon becoming the first bishop of San Pablo, Bishop Bantigue guided the newly erected diocese in its early years. One of his hallmark acts as its bishop was the convocation of the First Diocesan Synod of San Pablo in 1994. After 28 years as pastor of the flock of San Pablo diocese, Bishop Bantigue retired at the age of 75. He was succeeded by Bishop Francisco C. San Diego. Aside from the 50th anniversary of Bantigue’s Episcopal ordination, the Diocese of San Pablo also marked the 24th Episcopal anniversary of its current Bishop Leo M. Drona, who was ordained bishop on July 25, 1987.
