Rev. Fr. Occiano, appointed by Pope Francis as the new bishop of the Diocese of Virac Virac, Catanduanes – Rev. Father Luisito Occiano of the Archdiocese of Caceres was formally appointed by Pope Francis on Thursday, February 29, 2024, as the new Bishop of the Diocese of Virac.
Occiano will be the third Bishop of the Diocese, succeeding retired Bishop Manolo A. De los Santos after he submitted his resignation to the Holy Father following his 76th birthday. De los Santos was the second Bishop of the Diocese of Virac, succeeding the first bishop, Jose Sorra, a native of Catanduanes who was appointed to the Diocese of Legazpi.
Meanwhile, de los Santos served for almost thirty (30) years from 1994 until 2024. During his tenure, he enriched Catholicism in the province by opening approximately fifty (50) parishes and mission churches. On the other hand, Occiano, who is fifty-two years old (52), currently serves as the rector and priest of the Archdiocesan Shrine and Parish of San Jose in the town of San Jose, Camarines Sur province. He is also the director of the Caceres Commission on Communication.
During Occiano’s transfer as rector in 2021, Archbishop Rolando Tria Tirona of Caceres described him as a “humble, approachable priest with a warm personality.” “He relates well with the people and works effectively with them,” said Tirona. “And he is very committed to his work.”
The archbishop confirmed that there was a time when he wanted the priest to study diplomacy at the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy in Rome “because he can be a diplomat.” Tirona said, “He has the charisma for it,” adding that the priest is also active in various civic organizations. Occiano was born on June 21, 1971, and was ordained as a priest on November 10, 1996. As a young priest, he served as a parochial vicar at the Naga Metropolitan Cathedral before becoming the secretary to Archbishop Leonardo Legaspi in Caceres.
He also served as the director of catechesis in the archdiocese and as vice rector of the Minor Basilica of Our Lady of Peñafrancia. In 2003, he became a parish visitor at the Parish of San Francisco de Assisi in Naga City. From 2015 to 2021, he served in his first assignment as Parish Priest at the Parish of San Bartolome in Baao, Camarines Sur.
Meanwhile, the entire Diocese of Virac united in heartfelt gratitude as Bishop Manolo de los Santos announced the appointment of the new Bishop of Virac during the Eucharistic celebration at the Fiat Cave Chapel of the Immaculate Conception Seminary. After an impressive 29 years and 5 months of faithful service, Bishop de los Santos expressed his profound gratitude for the countless support of the clergy.
With humility, he recognized the privilege of shepherding the Diocese while expressing gratitude to all who accompanied him on this sacred journey. In a symbolic moment at the end of the Mass, Bishop de los Santos handed over his shepherd’s crook, indicating his transfer and the conclusion of his term as Bishop of Virac.
This collective expression of gratitude honors the memory of a shepherd who diligently investigated, inspired, and led with unwavering dedication. As we bid farewell to Bishop Manolo de los Santos, we warmly welcome the newly appointed Bishop, His Excellency Louie Occiano, who faces a future filled with hope, faith, and continued unity.
At present, no date has been set for the ordination as bishop and installation of Occiano as the third bishop of the Diocese of Virac. (Patrick Yutan/FB)
