Buco is also Judicial Vicar of the National Tribunal of Appeals, a Church office that handles marriage nullity cases in the Philippines. He is the author of the 2024 book, Freeing Distressed Couple from Guilt, The Need for State Recognition of the Church's Declaration on Marriage Nullity.[2]
Early life and education
Buco was born in Baganga, Davao Oriental. After finishing high school, he enrolled at the Seminary of the Sacred Heart in Palo, Leyte, earning a degree in philosophy.[1] Buco then transferred to the Immaculate Conception Major Seminary in Guiguinto, Bulacan for his theological studies, graduating in 1993.[1][3]
Priesthood
Buco was ordained a deacon on March 25, 1993, then as priest for the diocese of Antipolo on October 18, 1993.[1][4] Both ceremonies were presided by then bishop of Antipolo Protacio Gungon.[4]
Buco held various positions in the diocese such as Judicial Vicar, member of the Presbyteral Consultors, and rector of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage Seminary.[6] Before becoming a bishop, his last parish assignment was in Our Lady of Light Parish in Cainta, Rizal.[6]
Episcopacy
In July 2018, Buco was named as auxiliary bishop of Antipolo by Pope Francis. He is known to be the first priest elevated to the episcopate and only the second auxiliary bishop in Antipolo's history.[6] He is also the first alumnus of the Immaculate Conception Major Seminary to become a bishop.[3] He was consecrated as bishop on September 8, 2018.[7] Bishop Francisco Mendoza de Leon of Antipolo acted as principal consecrator, with bishops Oscar Jaime Florencio and Jacinto Jose serving as co-consecrators.[4] For his episcopal ministry, Buco chose the motto, Lex Dei Vitae Lampas (The Law of God is the Lamp of Life), taken from Psalm 19:8 of the Christian Bible, which he used from 2018 to 2025.[8]
On December 8, 2023, Pope Francis appointed Buco as apostolic administrator of the Diocese of Catarman, simultaneous with the pope's acceptance of the resignation of its bishop, Emmanuel Trance, for health reasons.[9]
On October 16, 2024, Buco was eventually appointed as the third Bishop of Catarman in an announcement made by Pope Francis.[10] He was installed on January 15, 2025, at the Our Lady of the Annunciation Cathedral.[11] In preparation for his new assignment, Buco's coat of arms and motto were replaced. His new episcopal motto is Nolite Timere (Be not afraid), inspired by the Biblical verse, John 6:20.[12]
This page is based on this Wikipedia article Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply. Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.
