The President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), Bishop Pablo Virgilio David, has been appointed as the vice president of the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences (FABC). This was announced during the bishops’ central committee meeting in Bangkok, where David was elected to the post. His term will officially begin in January 2025, succeeding Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith of Colombo.
In addition, Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrão from India was elected as the next FABC president, according to a Facebook post by Tokyo Archbishop Tarcisius Isao Kikuchi. Despite his new position, David will continue to serve as the Bishop of Caloocan and CBCP President, as confirmed by CBCP research head Father Vladimir Echalas.
According to Echalas, David’s appointment is significant as it allows the Philippine church to have a strong presence in the organization, contributing to the leadership focus within Asia. The FABC is an association of episcopal conferences of the Catholic Church in South, Southeast, East, and Central Asia.
David, known for his criticism of former President Rodrigo Duterte’s drug war, was also elected to the communication body in the Vatican Synod in October 2023. With his new role in the FABC, he is set to have an even greater impact on the church’s presence in Asia.
