TARLAKENYO (June 1, 2026) — After eight years in their posts, priests across the Diocese of Tarlac are finally on the move. Effective today, June 1, the diocese is implementing its long-awaited parochial assignments.
The transition has turned into a bittersweet occasion for parishioners across the diocese, who are fervently bidding farewell to their outgoing priests while preparing a warm welcome for their newly assigned spiritual shepherds.
The mass reassignment was long overdue. The priests had remained in their posts for eight years, having originally been assigned in 2018. Under standard diocesan rules, clergy typically serve a six-year term in a parish, which would have meant reassignments as early as 2024.
However, the process was abruptly halted following the death of the former Bishop of Tarlac, Bishop Enrique Macaraeg, in October 2023.
The diocese then entered a prolonged period of “sede vacante”, lasting over a year without a bishop. Consequently, the clergy remained in their respective parishes to ensure stability.
With the deep faith and prayers of the faithful, the long interregnum ended on December 29, 2024, when the late Pope Francis appointed Most Rev. Roberto C. Mallari, D.D. as the 4th Bishop of Tarlac. He was formally installed on March 27, 2025.
Upon his installation, Bishop Mallari exercised a temporary hold, deciding to leave the priests in their current assignments for one additional year.
That waiting period officially concluded when the new assignments were finally announced during the Chrism Mass on Holy Thursday, April 2, 2026, presided over by Bishop Mallari. The event served as the formal promulgation of the new pastoral appointments for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Tarlac.
According to a source from the Parochial Assignments posted by the Diocese on April 2, the Diocese of Tarlac currently comprises 8 vicariates, with 8 shrines, 60 parishes, and 5 pastoral stations.
