VATICAN CITY: Pope Francis has appointed Bishop Roberto Mallari to head the Diocese of Tarlac, following the passing of Bishop Enrique Macaraeg in October 2023. The announcement was made in Rome at around 7 p.m. Manila time, marking a significant transition for the diocese.

According to Philippines News Agency, Bishop Mallari will now oversee the Diocese of Tarlac, which comprises approximately 60 parishes and serves a Catholic population exceeding 1.2 million. Bishop Mallari's appointment comes after more than a decade of service as the bishop of San Jose, Nueva Ecija, a position he has held since July 2012.

Born in Masantol, Pampanga, Bishop Mallari pursued his major seminary formation at San Carlos Seminary in Makati City. His academic credentials include a master's degree in spirituality from the Priests School for Asia in Tagaytay City, with further education at the School for Priests in Florence, Italy. Ordained as a priest on November 27, 1982, for the Archdiocese of San Fernando, he has held numerous influential positions within the Catholic Church.

Before his episcopal roles, Mallari contributed significantly to the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines - Episcopal Commission on Family and Life (CBCP-ECFL) as an executive secretary from 2000 to 2006. He was appointed auxiliary bishop of San Fernando by Pope Benedict XVI on January 14, 2006, and ordained on March 27, 2006. His leadership expanded when he was named bishop of San Jose in May 2012.

Mallari's leadership extends beyond the local church as he has served as vice chairman of the ECFL and chairman of the Episcopal Commission on Catechesis and Catholic Education. Additionally, he chaired the Office of Social Communications of the Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences (FABC), further underscoring his commitment to global Catholic communication and education initiatives.