Moises Cuevas
| The Most Reverend Moises Cuevas | |
|---|---|
| Bishop of Calapan | |
| Cuevas in 2023
Cuevas in 2023
| |
| Church | Roman Catholic Church |
| See | Diocese of Calapan |
| Appointed | March 25, 2026 |
| Installed | August 7, 2026 |
| Predecessor | Position established[1] |
| Previous posts | Apostolic Vicar of Calapan (2023–2026) Auxiliary Bishop of Zamboanga (2020–2023) Apostolic Administrator of Zamboanga (2021–2023) |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | December 6, 2000 by Carmelo Morelos |
| Consecration | August 24, 2020 by Romulo T. de la Cruz |
| Personal details | |
| Born | November 25, 1973 Cuenca, Batangas, Philippines |
| Motto | Virga Tua Consolatio Mea ("Your rod consoles me")[2] |
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Moises Magpantay Cuevas (born November 25, 1973) is a Filipino prelate of the Catholic Church. He is currently bishop of the Diocese of Calapan in Oriental Mindoro, Philippines. Before assuming this role, he was the auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Zamboanga and later its apostolic administrator.[3][4]
Early life and education
Cuevas was born in Cuenca, Batangas, Philippines. He pursued his priestly formation at the Pastor Bonus Seminary in Zamboanga City. His theological studies continued at the Regional Major Seminary in Davao City.[5][6]
Priesthood
Cuevas was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Zamboanga on December 6, 2000. In the years that followed, he took on various responsibilities, including serving as vicar at the Metropolitan Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Zamboanga from 2001 to 2003. He later became the rector of the Sanctuary Nostra Signora del Pilar and was entrusted with the role of chancellor of the archdiocese from 2003 to 2009. From 2005 to 2007, he was appointed administrator of the archdiocesan pastoral center. He served as parish priest of Santa Maria Parish from 2009 to 2015. Since 2017, he has been director of the commission on the clergy for the archdiocese.[6][7]
Episcopal ministry
On March 19, 2020, Pope Francis appointed Cuevas as auxiliary bishop of Zamboanga and Titular Bishop of Maraguia.[6] He was consecrated on August 24, 2020, with Archbishop Romulo Tolentino de la Cruz as principal consecrator and bishops Martin Jumoad and Julius Tonel as co-consecrators.[8]
In August 2021, he was appointed apostolic administrator sede plena of the Archdiocese of Zamboanga, while Archbishop Romulo de la Cruz was recovering from a stroke. He managed the affairs of the archdiocese until the appointment of a new archbishop.[9]
On June 29, 2023, Pope Francis appointed him as the apostolic vicar of Calapan, succeeding Warlito Cajandig.[3][10] Cuevas was installed on September 6, 2023, at the Sto. Niño Cathedral in Calapan City.[2][11]
At the time of his appointment, Cuevas was one of the youngest bishops in the Philippines.[4]
On March 25, 2026, Pope Leo XIV elevated the Apostolic Vicariate of Calapan to a full diocese and appointed Cuevas as its first bishop; the new diocese was canonically erected on August 7, the same day when he was canonically installed.[12]
Advocacy
Cuevas has consistently emphasized the importance of simplicity and humility in the life of the clergy. He has spoken against material excess and has urged priests to remain dedicated to their pastoral mission. In February 2023, he addressed concerns over clergy members who displayed extravagant lifestyles, calling such behaviors a "blinding addiction" that distracted them from their spiritual responsibilities.[13]
He advocates for the protection of the Verde Island Passage (VIP), emphasizing its ecological importance and the threats it faces, such as overfishing, pollution, and climate change. Citing Pope Francis' Laudato si', he stresses that preserving VIP is crucial for biodiversity and the livelihoods of millions of fishermen, warning that its degradation could lead to displacement and food insecurity.[14]
References
- Back to citation Warlito Cajandig was his direct predecessor when the diocese was an apostolic vicariate at the time.
- Back to citation occurrence 2.0 Back to citation occurrence 2.1 "Synodal bishop installed in Philippines missionary island". Radio Veritas Asia. September 14, 2023. Retrieved February 26, 2025.
- Back to citation occurrence 3.0 Back to citation occurrence 3.1 "Calapan has new bishop". CBCP News. June 29, 2023. Retrieved February 26, 2025.
- Back to citation occurrence 4.0 Back to citation occurrence 4.1 "Pope Francis names Philippines' youngest prelate as bishop of Calapan". Rappler. June 29, 2023. Retrieved February 28, 2025.
- Back to citation "Most Rev. MOISES M. CUEVAS". Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines.
- Back to citation occurrence 6.0 Back to citation occurrence 6.1 Back to citation occurrence 6.2 "Pope names new auxiliary bishop of Zamboanga". CBCP News. March 19, 2020. Retrieved February 26, 2025.
- Back to citation "Vicar Apostolic Moises Magpantay Cuevas". UCANews.
- Back to citation "Auxiliary bishop ordained for Zamboanga". CBCP News.
- Back to citation "Pope names Bishop Cuevas as Zamboanga's apostolic administrator". CBCP News. August 12, 2021. Retrieved February 26, 2025.
- Back to citation "New Calapan bishop named". The Philippine Star.
- Back to citation "Oriental Mindoro's new bishop assumes post". Interaksyon.
- Back to citation CBCP News (March 25, 2026). "Vatican elevates Calapan to diocese; Cuevas named first bishop". CBCP. Retrieved March 25, 2026.
- Back to citation "Mindanao bishop slams priests' lavish lifestyles, 'blinding addiction'". Rappler.
- Back to citation "Church, NGO seek tougher laws to protect Verde Island Passage". Philippine News Agency; "Calapan bishop calls for protection of Verde Island". Manila Bulletin. October 4, 2023. Retrieved February 28, 2025; "Time to work together to protect Verde Island Passage, says bishop". CBCP News. October 4, 2023. Retrieved February 28, 2025.