Pope Benedict XVI yesterday appointed Monsignor Mario Mendoza Peralta as co-adjutor bishop of the Diocese of Alaminos, Pangasinan and Monsignor Roberto Calasa Mallari as auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of San Fernando, Pampanga.

The appointments of the two priests were relayed yesterday to the media by Papal Nuncio to the Philippines Archbishop Antonio Franco through the National Office of Mass Media (NOMM).

NOMM officers said the appointment of Peralta as co-adjutor bishop is significant because it has been years since a co-adjutor bishop was appointed.

As co-adjutor bishop, Peralta carries with him the right to succession, especially when the current Alaminos Bishop Jesus Cabrera, now 65, retires 10 years from now, they said.

Vatican rules require priests to submit their letter of resignation upon reaching the age of 75.

Before his appointment to Alaminos, Peralta, 56, used to serve as vicar general and later as diocesan administrator of the Diocese of Urdaneta when the diocese’s former bishop, Bishop Jesus Galang, died in 2004.

NOMM officers said that Mallari’s appointment to Pampanga will be a big help to the archdiocese’s head, Archbishop Paciano Aniceto, who is also chairman of the Episcopal on Family and Life of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (ECFL-CBCP).

For the past six years, Mallari has been the executive secretary of the Philippine Episcopal Commission on Family and Life.

Mallari, 47, has also served as spiritual director of the Mother of Good Counsel Seminary and parish priest of the Lord’s Ascension Parish, both in Pampanga.

NOMM secretary, Father James Reuter, meanwhile said that no dates have been set yet for the consecration and installation of the two new bishops.

"The mere fact that they were appointed is striking evidence that Benedict XVI is paying special attention to the Philippines," Reuter said.