CUBAO, Quezon City — The Diocese of Cubao has now a new prelate following Reverend Father Elias Ayuban Jr., CMF, JCD ordination as bishop during a solemn eucharistic celebration at the Immaculate Conception Cathedral of Cubao in Quezon City.

Bishop Ayuban’s appointment was earlier announced in October 10 by the Vatican and confirmation was made at the Episcopal Ordination and Rite of Canonical Possession of Ayuban which coincided with the Feast of St. Francis Xavier, the patron saint of Catholic missions.

Prior to this, Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines Archbishop Charles Brown had confided to Ayuban his selection as successor to Bishop Emeritus Honesto Ongtioco who served as the first bishop of the diocese from 2003 to 2024 and resigned after reaching the mandatory retirement age of 75.

According to a social media post by the Cubao diocese, Ayuban has taken “the first place among concelebrating bishops and the kiss of peace” from the principal consecrator, Archbishop of Manila Fuerte Cardinal Advincula, Ongtingco, and other bishops in attendance.

With this, Ayuban's admittance into the College of Bishops and Clergy has been sealed.

“When Archbishop Charles confided to me that I would be the successor of Bishop Honesto, I was greatly troubled. The shoes I wear are too big for me, but I am comforted by the thought of the mercy of God, who plants what is lacking in me. I will not compete with the Lord,” the new bishop enthused.

During his homily, Cardinal-elect Kalookan Bishop Pablo Virgilio David, president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), urged the clergy to strengthen their faith, especially when facing challenges like St. Peter the Apostle.

“Sometimes, like Peter, we are also tempted to despair about ourselves when we’re confronted by our own weaknesses,” David said.

“He just wants to make sure that if we go on with our mission to feed the lambs, it should be for no other reason than for the love of the shepherd to whom they belong,” he added.

The CBCP president also noted the passage from the Book of Corinthians, “for in weakness, power reaches perfection, for it is when I am weak that I am strong.”

“This passage is consoling for all of us because it assures us that with Jesus, even if our human commitments are breakable, it is also renewable if we unite with Christ,” he pointed out.