by Joel V. Ocampo
On December 29, 2024, Feast of the Holy Family, the Holy Father has appointed His Excellency Most Rev. Roberto C. Mallari, D.D., as the new Bishop of the Diocese of Tarlac, transferring him from the Diocese of San Jose, Province of Nueva Ecija, Philippines.
Bishop Roberto Calara Mallari, also known as “Bishop Bobet” or “Among Bobet” for the Capampangan faithful, was born on March 27, 1958, in the Municipality of Masantol, Province of Pampanga. He studied high school at the Mother of Good Counsel Seminary from 1970 to 1974. Then, he pursued his Major Seminary formation at San Carlos Seminary in Guadalupe, Makati City, where he studied Philosophy and Theology.
He was ordained to the Sacred Order of Deacons on March 15, 1982, by the then bishop, now H. E. Gaudencio B. Cardinal Rosales. After some months, he received his Ordination to the Sacred Order of Presbyters on November 27, 1982, through the laying of hands of †Archbishop Oscar V. Cruz, the then Archbishop of San Fernando.
As a priest, the then Fr. Roberto Mallari served in the following ministries in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of San Fernando, Pampanga:
Associate Pastor, San Vicente Ferrer Parish (1982-1983),
Spiritual Director, Mother of Good Counsel Seminary (1983-1987; 1989-1994),
Director, Commission on Family and Life, Archdiocese of San Fernando (1990-1994),
Guest Priest, Immaculate Conception Parish, Moonwalk, Las Pinas City (1987-1989),
Parish Priest, The Lord's Ascension Parish (1998-2006), and
President, University of the Assumption, City of San Fernando, Pampanga (2007-2012).
On January 14, 2006, Pope Benedict XVI appointed him Auxiliary Bishop of San Fernando, Pampanga, and Titular Bishop of Erdonia. Then on March 27 of the same year, he was ordained Bishop, with †Ricardo Cardinal Vidal as the Principal Consecrator, and Bishop Socrates B. Villegas (then Bishop of Balanga) and Bishop Honesto F. Ongtioco (then Bishop of Cubao) as Co-Consecrators. He served for six years as Auxiliary Bishop of San Fernando, until on May 15, 2012, Pope Benedict XVI appointed Bishop Mallari as Bishop of San Jose.
As a bishop, he served in the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines in the following ministries:
Member, Episcopal Commission on Family and Life (2007-2011),
Member, Episcopal Commission on Youth (2007-2011),
Vice-Chairman, Episcopal Commission on Family and Life (2011-2013),
Vice-Chairman, Episcopal Commission on Youth (2011-2013),
Member, Episcopal Commission on Catechesis and Catholic Education (2013-2015; 2023-2025),
Chairman, Episcopal Commission on Catechesis and Catholic Education (2015-2021),
Vice-Chairman, Episcopal Commission on Seminaries (2013-2017),
Member, Episcopal Commission on Seminaries (2017-2019), and
Member, Episcopal Office for the Protection of Minors and Vulnerable Persons (2023-2025).
In November 2010, Bishop Mallari participated in the Quinquennial Visit Ad Limina, or simply an Ad Limina Visit to Pope Benedict XVI. As the Auxiliary Bishop of San Fernando, he went there with Most Rev. Paciano B. Aniceto, D.D., the then Archbishop of San Fernando, and Most Rev. Pablo Virgilio S. David, D.D. (Auxiliary Bishop of San Fernando). Incidentally, the visit coincided with Bishop Mallari’s 28th Anniversary to Priesthood. Then on May 2019, Bishop Mallari participated in another Ad Limina Visit to Pope Francis.
While serving as one of the Auxiliary Bishops of San Fernando, Bishop Mallari was assigned to the Holy Rosary Parish in Angeles City. There, he established the Desk for the Poor. When Bishop Pablo David was assigned as parish priest of Holy Rosary Parish in May 2008, he opted to continue what Bishop Mallari started, but with shifts in nature and organizational set-up. Thus, the Desk for the Poor became known as the Holy Rosary Parish Social Action Center (HRP-SAC).
March 2, 2012, a Eucharistic Celebration at Holy Rosary Parish where the then three bishops of San Fernando were present: Bishop Pablo David, Archbishop Paciano Aniceto, and Bishop Roberto Mallari.
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