Msgr. Noel Pedregosa was driving alone on the morning of June 14 when he received a call. It was news that surprised him completely.

Archbishop Charles Brown, Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines, told the priest that Pope Francis appointed him as the new bishop of Malaybalay.

“My immediate reaction was, Your Excellency, are you serious?” Pedregosa said over Radyo Bandilyo, the diocese’s radio station.

Initially, the 56-year-old “could not believe” what he heard but “out of love for the Lord and the Church,” he accepted the new role.

The nuncio instructed him not to tell anyone about it until the date of his appointment is published.

The bishop-elect admitted to suffering some sleepless nights since he was informed of the pope’s decision.

“I kept a low profile but the Lord still saw me,” he said.

On June 29, the feast of Sts. Peter and Paul, his appointment was officially announced by the Vatican.

Pedregosa will be the fifth bishop of Malaybalay, succeeding the now archbishop of Cagayan de Oro, Jose Cabantan.

Prior to his episcopal appointment, he has served as vicar general of the diocese and rector of Malaybalay Cathedral since 2017.

In July 2020, he was appointed as diocesan administrator of Malaybalay.

The date of his ordination and installation will be announced later.