The Official Newsletter of the Archdiocese of Cebu, Philippines

Pope renews Bishop Mesiona’s Vatican dicastery post

Bishop Socrates Mesiona sa Apostolic Vicariate sa Puerto Princesa. AVPP

Pope Leo XIV has renewed Bishop Socrates Mesiona’s appointment to a Vatican dicastery overseeing the Catholic Church’s missionary work in territories where evangelization remains a priority.

Mesiona, apostolic vicar of Puerto Princesa, was confirmed for another five-year term as a member of the Dicastery for Evangelization’s Section for First Evangelization and the New Particular Churches, headed by Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle as pro-prefect.

The Apostolic Vicariate of Puerto Princesa announced Mesiona’s renewal Aug. 10, citing an official Vatican decree issued in the pope’s name.

Mesiona has served in the same capacity at the dicastery for about a decade, first from 2014 to 2019 and then from December 2020, when Pope Francis appointed him to another five-year term.

The section oversees the church’s missionary efforts in territories where the faith is being newly established or strengthened, including the development of new particular churches.

Mesiona holds a licentiate in missiology from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome and is a member of the Missionary Society of the Philippines.

He has served as apostolic vicar of Puerto Princesa since 2017, overseeing the Catholic Church’s pastoral work in mainland municipalities of southern Palawan.