Fr. Timoner from Daet, the New Bishop of Pagadian

by Joel V. Ocampo

The Holy Father Pope Francis has appointed Rev. Fr. Ronald Anthony Parco Timoner, a priest from the Roman Catholic Diocese of Daet, Province of Camarines Norte, until now Diocesan Administrator and Parish Priest of Parroquia de San Juan Bautista, as bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Pagadian, Zamboanga del Sur, Philippines. The announcement was made at the Vatican City, today, April 2, 2025, at 12:00 NN (6:00 PM in the Philippines).

Early Life, Education, and Vocation

Bishop-Elect Ronald Anthony Timoner was born in Daet on August 13, 1971, on the Memorial of Saint Pontian, Pope. He studied Philosophy at the Holy Rosary Major Seminary in Naga City. He continued his seminary formation at the University of Santo Tomas Central Seminary in Manila City, where he studied Theology. He was awarded a Licentiate in Theology from the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas – Angelicum. According to the UST Central Seminary, Bishop-Elect Timoner is the younger brother of Very Rev. Fr. Gerard Francisco P. Timoner III, O.P., the current Master of the Order of Preachers. He is now a part of the long list of Thomasian-Centralite Bishops.

Bishop-Elect Timoner received his Ordination to the Sacred Order of Presbyters on May 1, 1997, for the Diocese of Daet. As a priest, he served in the following:

• Parish Vicar, Parroquia de Nuestra Señora de Candelaria, Paracale, Camarines Norte (1997),

• Parish Vicar, St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Talisay, Camarines Norte (1998),

• Spiritual Director, Holy Trinity College Seminary, Municipality of Labo (1998-2000),

• Prefect of Discipline and Procurator, Holy Trinity College Seminary (2000-2004),

• Chaplain, Church of Saint Thomas in Milan, Italy (2004-2008),

• Chancellor, Diocese of Daet (2008-2016),

• Director, SPACFI-Socio-Pastoral Action Center Foundation in Daet (since 2015),

• Diocesan Administrator (2017),

• Parish Priest of San Juan Bautista in Daet, Camarines Norte (since 2017).

  
  

On April 2, 2019, the Most Rev. Rex Andrew C. Alarcon, D.D., the then Bishop of Daet appointed Rev. Fr. Ronald Anthony P. Timoner as Vicar General of the Diocese of Daet. Then on May 15, 2024, he was appointed as Diocesan Administrator of the Diocese of Daet, following the appointment of Bishop Alarcon as the new Archbishop of Caceres.

In one of his homilies, Very Rev. Fr. Ronald Anthony Timoner said, “We will always be persistent in our desire to follow the Lord.”