KALIBO, Aklan – Pope Leo XIV has appointed Fr. Cyril Villareal, a 51-year-old priest of the Archdiocese of Capiz, as the new bishop of the Diocese of Kalibo, the Vatican announced on Saturday, January 24.
Villareal will assume pastoral leadership of the diocese following the retirement of Bishop Jose Corazon Tala-oc in June 2025, ending the latter’s nearly 14-year tenure.
Ordained a priest on May 25, 2001, Villareal took his philosophical formation at St. Pius X Seminary and completed his theological studies at the University of Santo Tomas. He later earned a master’s degree and a licentiate in sacred theology from the same institution, and subsequently obtained a master’s degree in theology from the University of Vienna.
His pastoral ministry spans assignments both in the Philippines and abroad, including service as assistant chaplain and assistant priest in Vienna from 2005 to 2010.
Within the Archdiocese of Capiz, Villareal previously served as vicar general and later led the archdiocese as apostolic administrator during the sede vacante period from 2021 to 2023. He has been serving as parish priest of St. Thomas of Villanova Parish in Dao, Capiz since July 2024./PN
