Filipino priest made bishop in Northern Marianas

Father Ryan Jimenez fills a six-year vacancy to become Chalan Kanoa Diocese's second prelate.

Father Ryan Jimenez (right) celebrates Mass after his ordination as bishop of Chalan Kanoa Diocese in the Northern Marianas. (Photo by Jonathan Perez)

Northern Mariana Islands :  A Filipino priest has become the new bishop of Chalan Kanoa Diocese in the Northern Marianas.

Bishop Savio Tai-Fai Hon, apostolic administrator of Agana Archdiocese in Guam, ordained Father Ryan Jimenez, from the central Philippines, as the new bishop on Aug. 14.

"This is the proclamation of your new obligation to the community. What’s important is for you to guide the community under the guidance of the Holy Spirit," Bishop Hon told the new prelate.

A letter from the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines welcomed Bishop Jimenez to the "episcopal fraternity and ministry."

"This is not about me. It is not about power but the humble service to God and His church," said Jimenez.

Governor Ralph Torres of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands said Jimenez, although not born in the Marianas, "has made this place his home to nurture our people’s faith and spirituality."

Pope Francis appointed Father Jimenez the second bishop of the diocese on June 17. The appointment came after nearly six years of sede vacante or vacancy.

Bishop Jimenez was born on Dec. 18, 1971, in Dumaguete City in the Philippines. He joined the San Jose Seminary in Quezon City and studied philosophy at the University Manila.

He continued his studies in the United States at St. Patrick’s Seminary and at the University in Menlo Park, California, getting a Masters in 2003.

He was ordained a priest for Chalan Kanoa Diocese on June 8, 2003.

Pope Benedict XVI appointed him Apostolic Administrator of the diocese in December of 2010.

Source: UCAN