Emmanuel Cabajar


Emmanuel T. Cabajar is a Filipino bishop of the Roman Catholic Church. He was Bishop of Pagadian from 2004 to 2018.

Background

Cabajar was born on 8 October 1942, in Jandayan Island, Jetafe, Talibon, Bohol, Philippines. He entered priesthood as a member of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer.
He attended Philosophy at the St. Alphonsus Seminary in Cebu City. He attained a master's degree and doctorate in Moral theology from St. Anthelmo in Rome and in Madrid, Spain, respectively.

Priest

Cabajar lectured extensively on moral theology. He also served the Church in key positions.
PositionTerm of OfficeOrganization
Professor of Moral Theology1978-1985Major Seminary in Remase, Davao City
Professor1978-1985St. Francis Xavier Seminary, Davao City
Superior1984-1990Redemptorist Community of Iligan City
Superior1990-1993Redemptorist Itinerant Community in Mindanao
Councilor1990-1997Vice Provincial
Vicar Provincial1996Cebu
Provincial Vicar and Superior1996-1997Community Holy Family
Member1997-2004General Council of the Redemptorist in Rome

Bishop

named him Bishop of Pagadian on 14 May 2004. He received his episcopal consecration from Cardinal Ricardo Jamin Vidal on 14 August and was installed on 2 September. As Bishop of Pagadian, he governed the sixteen Diocesan Schools of Pagadian. He also sits as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Saint Columban College.
In the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines, he has served as Chairman, Vice Chairman, and member of episcopal commissions.
PositionTerm of OfficeOrganization
Chairman2007-2011CBCP Episcopal Commission on Culture
Member2007-2011CBCP Episcopal Commission on Ecumenical Affairs
Vice Chairman2011-2013CBCP Episcopal Commission on Culture
Member2011-2013Commission on Inter-religious Dialogue
Member2013-2015Commission on Ecumenical Affairs

On February 2017, Cabajar played host to Msgr. Jose R. Manguiran, Bishop Emeritus of Dipolog, and delegates of the Mindanao Convention on Family and Life held in Pagadian City. A week after, he played host again to the delegates of the National Convention on Family and Life, led by Archbishop Gilbert A. Garcera of the Archdiocese of Lipa.
Pope Francis accepted his resignation as bishop on 22 November 2018.