As 2024 drew to a close, the Diocese of Cubao in the Philippines celebrated a significant milestone: the ordination and installation of its second bishop, Elias Ayuban Jr.
The solemn ceremony took place at the Immaculate Conception Cathedral on December 3, marking a new chapter for the diocese.
Bishop Ayuban, a 56-year-old Claretian missionary, was appointed by Pope Francis in November, following the retirement of Cubao’s pioneering bishop, Most Rev. Honesto Ongtioco, who turned 76 in October, exceeding the mandatory retirement age for bishops.
In his inaugural message, Bishop Ayuban pledged to lead with humility, service, and an emphasis on empowerment.
“This power, my dear friends, does not count for anything if I do not use it to empower others [or] see it from the perspective of service,” he said. “Our power is not measured on how long we sit on a chair but on how often we bend our knees to wash the feet of others.”
He outlined his pastoral priorities, emphasizing inclusivity, accountability, and the spirit of Synodality—an approach championed by Pope Francis that emphasizes listening, collaboration, and walking together as one Church.
“There is no sense of entitlement,” he stressed. “The clergy should not feel superior to the consecrated persons, and the consecrated persons should not feel special relative to the laypersons.”
The new bishop also committed to reaching all communities within the diocese, irrespective of size or economic status. “No community will be deprived of the presence of the bishop… because of poverty,” he vowed. “If we walk together, we can reach far, even if we do not reach our destination fast. Synodality is not so much about efficiency but about being relational.”
Bishop Ayuban’s ordination was presided over by Manila Archbishop Jose Cardinal Advincula, with Bishop Honesto Ongtioco and Bishop Alberto Uy of Tagbilaran serving as co-consecrators.
Distinguished guests included Archbishop Charles Brown, apostolic nuncio to the Philippines, and the bishop’s 90-year-old mother, who attended alongside relatives and well-wishers.
Born on January 1, 1968, in Maguindanao del Norte, a province in the southern Philippines, Bishop Ayuban brings a wealth of experience to the diocese.
Before his appointment, he served as provincial superior of the Claretian Missionaries in the Philippines, a role he held since 2019.
He was also co-chairperson of the Conference of Major Superiors in the Philippines (CMSP).
Bishop Ayuban now shepherds a diocese of 1.4 million Catholics, situated in the southern part of Quezon City in the National Capital Region.
The Diocese of Cubao, known for its motto “A City Set on A Hill,” continues to be a beacon of faith and service in the bustling metropolitan area.
With his clear vision for inclusivity and service, Bishop Ayuban’s leadership promises to steer the diocese toward deeper unity and greater commitment to the values of the Gospel.
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