Jose Colin Mendoza Bagaforo (born January 30, 1954) is a Filipino prelate of the Catholic Church. He is the current Bishop of Kidapawan since 2016 and the president of Caritas Philippines since 2019.[2]

Early life and education

Jose Colin Mendoza Bagaforo was born on January 30, 1954, in Cotabato City, Cotabato, Philippines.[1] He studied theology at the Saint Francis Regional Major University in Davao City, and went to Xavier University in Cagayan de Oro to earn his master's degree in education management. He then studied systematic theology at the Weston Jesuit School of Theology in Cambridge, Massachusetts, in the United States.[3]

Ministry

Priesthood

Bagaforo was ordained a priest on March 25, 1980.[1] During his priesthood, he serves as the president of Notre Dame of Tacurong College and the vicar general of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cotabato.[4]

Episcopate

On February 2, 2006, Pope Benedict XVI appointed him Auxiliary Bishop of Cotabato and Titular Bishop of Vazari-Didda.[3] He was consecrated bishop on April 25, 2006 by Orlando Beltran Quevedo, Archbishop of Cotobato.[2]

On July 25, 2016, Pope Francis appointed Bagaforo as Bishop of Kidapawan.[2][5] He was installed on September 6, 2016.[6]

In July 2019, he was elected president of Caritas Philippines.[7] He was reelected in July 2023.[8]

Following the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte in March 2025, Bagaforo called it a "crucial move toward justice" for the victims of Duterte's War on Drugs,[9] and called on Duterte to cooperate with the investigation of the International Criminal Court (ICC).[10]

References

  1. ^ a b c "Bishop José Colin Mendoza Bagaforo". Radio Veritas Asia. August 27, 2024. Retrieved March 14, 2025.
  2. ^ a b c Catholic Hierarchy: "Jose Colin Mendoza Bagaforo" retrieved July 25, 2016
  3. ^ a b "Pope Benedict names new auxiliary bishop for Cotabato". The Philippine Star. February 3, 2006. Retrieved March 14, 2025.
  4. ^ "Pope appoints new Kidapawan bishop". Sunstar. July 26, 2016. Retrieved March 14, 2025.
  5. ^ Macairan, Evelyn (July 28, 2016). "Vatican names new Kidapawan bishop". The Philippine Star. Retrieved March 14, 2025.
  6. ^ "Bagaforo, new bishop". Sunstar. September 9, 2016. Retrieved March 14, 2025 – via PressReader.
  7. ^ Lagarde, Roy (July 9, 2019). "Peace advocate bishop to head Church's social justice arm". CBCP News. Retrieved March 14, 2025.
  8. ^ "Kidapawan Bishop Bagaforo reelected as Caritas president". Manila Bulletin. July 9, 2023. Retrieved March 14, 2025.
  9. ^ "Bishops say Duterte arrest a step toward accountability, justice". CBCP News. March 11, 2025. Retrieved March 14, 2025.
  10. ^ "Caritas PH to ex-president Duterte: Face justice, cooperate in ICC probe". GMA Integrated News. March 11, 2025. Retrieved March 14, 2025.
Catholic Church titles
Preceded by Bishop of Kidapawan
September 6, 2016 – present
Incumbent
Preceded by President of Caritas Philippines
2019–present
Incumbent
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