Herman Abcede
Herman Guinto Abcede | |
|---|---|
| Born | April 13, 1965 Vinzons, Camarines Norte, Philippines |
| Occupation | Catholic prelate |
| Known for | Bishop of Daet |
Herman Guinto Abcede (born April 13, 1965) is a Filipino Catholic prelate who has been serving as the Bishop of Daet since 2025.
Early life and education
Abcede was born in Vinzons, Camarines Norte, which falls under the jurisdiction of the Diocese of Daet. He completed his secondary education at Vinzons Pilot High School before pursuing philosophy studies at the University of Santo Tomas in Manila. His formation continued at the Rogationist Seminary in Manila, followed by theological education at the Don Bosco School of Theology located in Parañaque. He later obtained a licentiate degree in canon law from the Pontifical Lateran University in Rome.
Priesthood
After taking perpetual vows in 1991, Abcede was ordained to the priesthood on June 8, 1996.
Throughout his priestly ministry, he fulfilled numerous pastoral, administrative, and academic responsibilities within the Rogationists of the Heart of Jesus congregation. His early assignments included working at Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary in Parañaque (1996–1997), then serving as assistant treasurer and counsellor at St. Anthony's Boys Village in Silang, Cavite. Between 1997 and 2000, he acted as treasurer and director of spiritual affairs at the Rogationist Academy in Silang.
In 2000, he was appointed superior, a position he held until 2003, also taking on the role of treasurer in 2002. He was engaged as a teacher and prefect of studies at the Blessed Hannibal Formation Center in Cebu. From 2003 to 2007, he served as counsellor and secretary for the Philippine sector under the Indian Delegations of the Rogationists and acted as counsellor at the Blessed Hannibal Rogate Center in Parañaque (2004). Additionally, he administered St. Francis Xavier parish in Parang, Bataan between 2005 and 2007.
Between 2007 and 2010, Abcede served as counsellor to the Philippine delegate and held multiple leadership roles including treasurer and vice rector at Rogationist College, house councillor and superior with treasurer duties at St. Anthony's Boys Village, and rector of Rogationist Academy first in Toril, Davao (2008–2009) then Silang (2009–2010).
In 2010, he assumed office as major superior of the Rogationists’ Philippine Quasi Province and subsequently became the inaugural provincial superior of the newly formed St. Matthew Province until 2018. He has also been actively involved with both the Association of Major Religious Superiors in the Philippines (AMRSP) and the Canon Law Society of the Philippines (CLSP).
Beginning in 2018, he took on responsibilities as defender of the bond at the Matrimonial Tribunal for the Diocese of Parañaque and was appointed ecclesiastical judge in 2021. Prior to his episcopal appointment, since 2023 he served as superior of the community at Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary in Parañaque City.
Episcopal ministry
On March 4, 2025, Pope Francis named him bishop of Daet, succeeding Rex Andrew Alarcon who transferred to lead the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cáceres in 2024. He received episcopal consecration and formally took canonical possession of his diocese on May 1, 2025, which coincided with the liturgical celebration honoring Saint Joseph the Worker.