Daniel Presto

Last updated
The Most Reverend

Daniel Oca Presto

D.D.
Bishop of San Fernando de La Union
Province Lingayen-Dagupan
See San Fernando de La Union
AppointedMay 9, 2018
InstalledAugust 2, 2018
Predecessor Rodolfo Fontiveros Beltran
Previous post(s)Vicar General of the Diocese of Iba (2014–2018)
Orders
OrdinationDecember 1, 1990
ConsecrationJuly 30, 2018
Personal details
Born(1963-04-07)April 7, 1963
NationalityFilipino
Motto"Confido In Misericordia Dei" (I Trust in the Mercy of God) [1]
Coat of arms Coat of arms of Daniel Oca Presto.svg
Styles of
Daniel O. Presto
Coat of arms of Daniel Oca Presto.svg
Reference style
Spoken style Your Excellency
Religious style Bishop

Daniel Oca Presto (born April 7, 1963) is a Filipino bishop of the Roman Catholic Church, currently serving as the Bishop of Diocese of San Fernando de La Union since 2018. [2] Prior to his episcopal appointment, he served as the Vicar General and the Administrator of the Diocese of Iba. [3] [4]

Contents

Early Life and Education

Presto was born on April 7, 1963, in Mangaldan, Pangasinan, Philippines. He pursued his seminary formation and theological studies at San Carlos Seminary in Makati. He obtained master's degree in education at the De La Salle University Manila. [2] [4] [5]

Priesthood

He was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Iba on December 1, 1990. [6] After ordination he served as the Parochial Vicar of Saint Rita Parish in Olongapo City and Saint Michael Parish in Santa Cruz, Zambales from 1991 to 1992. He later became President of the Columban Center in Olongapo City from 1993 to 2005. Between 2005 and 2012, he served as Director of the Saint Augustine School of Iba, President of the Magsaysay Memorial College of San Narciso and Vicar Forane of the Saint Joseph Vicariate. [2] [5]

From 2012 to 2018, he became the Parish Priest in San Antonio, Zambales, and a member of the presbyteral council and various diocesan commissions. In 2014, he was named Administrator of the Diocese of Iba after Bishop Florentino Lavarias was named Archbishop of San Fernando. [2] [4] [5] [6]

Episcopal Ministry

On May 9, 2018, Pope Francis appointed Presto as the Bishop of San Fernando de La Union, succeeding the late Bishop Rodolfo Fontiveros Beltran. [2] [3] [4] He was officially installed at the Saint William the Hermit Cathedral on August 2, 2018. [6]

Within the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), Presto has served as the Chairman of Commission on Catechesis and Catholic Education since 2023. [7] [8]

Advocacy and Contributions

Bishop Presto has been actively involved in environmental advocacy, strongly opposing the construction of a coal-fired power plant in La Union, aligning with the Church's stance on climate justice and environmental protection. [9]

He has been a vocal advocate for fisherfolk's rights, joining other bishops in urging the Philippine government to protect the livelihood of Filipino fishermen amid maritime disputes in the West Philippine Sea. [9] [10] [11]

In 2024, he championed the canonical coronation of the image of Our Lady of Charity in Agoo, La Union, a decree granted by Pope Francis. [12]

References

  1. "Confido in Misericordia Dei: The Episcopal Motto of Bishop Daniel Presto". Immaculate Conception School for Boys and ICSM. May 10, 2021. Retrieved March 2, 2025.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 "Pope appoints new bishop of San Fernando La Union" (in Italian). Vatican Press. May 9, 2018. Retrieved March 2, 2025.
  3. 1 2 "Pope names new bishop of San Fernando in La Union". CBCP News. May 9, 2018. Retrieved March 2, 2025.
  4. 1 2 3 4 "Pope appoints new bishop of San Fernando La Union". ABS-CBN News. May 10, 2018. Retrieved March 2, 2025.
  5. 1 2 3 "Bishop Daniel O. Presto". UCA News. Retrieved March 2, 2025.
  6. 1 2 3 "Bishop Presto takes helm of San Fernando diocese". CBCP News. July 10, 2018. Retrieved March 2, 2025.
  7. "Heads of CBCP Episcopal Commissions, Committees, and Offices". CBCP News. Retrieved February 25, 2025.
  8. "CEAP approves Bishop Presto's appointment as the next chairman of CBCP-ECCCE". Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Manila. Retrieved February 25, 2025.
  9. 1 2 "'Exhaust all legal options to defend Pinoy fishermen'". The Philippine Star. February 5, 2024. Retrieved March 2, 2025.
  10. "Bishops call for action to protect fishermen in West Philippine Sea". The Varsitarian. February 5, 2024. Retrieved March 2, 2025.
  11. "6 Catholic bishops urge PH gov't to protect fishers, defend territory". ABS-CBN News. February 6, 2024. Retrieved March 2, 2025.
  12. "Pope grants canonical coronation of Our Lady of Agoo". CBCP News. February 1, 2024. Retrieved March 2, 2025.
Catholic Church titles
Preceded by Bishop of San Fernando de La Union
2018–present
Incumbent