Ernesto Salgado


Ernesto Antolin Salgado is a Filipino bishop of the Catholic Church who served as the archbishop of Nueva Segovia from 2005 to 2014. Prior to his appointment, he served as the bishop of Laoag and Vicar Apostolic of Baguio and its predecessor Vicariate Apostolic of Mountain Provinces (Montagnosa).

Early life and education

Salgado was born in Santa Lucia, Ilocos Sur, on November 22, 1936. He completed his secondary education at the Immaculate Conception Minor Seminary and his Philosophy studies at Immaculate Conception School of Theology. He obtained a degree in theology in 1962 and a licentiate in Sacred Theology at the University of Santo Tomas. In 1978, he earned a Doctorate in Sacred Theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome.

Priesthood

Salgado was ordained a priest on December 23, 1961. After ordination, he served as prefect of discipline and spiritual director at the Minor Seminary of Vigan from 1962 to 1970. In 1970, he was appointed rector of the same seminary, a position he held until 1973. Following this, he was assigned as parish priest of the Cathedral of Nueva Segovia from 1973 to 1974.
In 1978, after completing his doctoral studies in Rome, Salgado returned to the Philippines and served as vice rector, professor of moral theology, and later spiritual director of the Major Seminary of Vigan until 1987. His pastoral and academic contributions during this period helped shape many future clergy in the Archdiocese of Nueva Segovia.

Episcopal ministry

On October 17, 1986, Pope John Paul II appointed Salgado as the titular bishop of Buruni and coadjutor vicar apostolic of the Mountain Provinces. He was consecrated bishop on January 15, 1987, by Archbishop Bruno Torpigliani. He succeeded as Vicar Apostolic of Mountain Provinces on December 18, 1987.

Bishop of Baguio and Laoag

On July 6, 1992, he became the first vicar apostolic of the newly renamed Apostolic Vicariate of Baguio, after the vicariate ceded territories to form the Apostolic Vicariate of Bontoc-Lagawe and the Apostolic Vicariate of Tabuk. On December 7, 2000, he was appointed as the bishop of Laoag.

Archbishop of Nueva Segovia

On February 12, 2005, Pope John Paul II appointed Salgado as the archbishop of Nueva Segovia. He was installed on May 31, 2005. He served until his retirement on April 2, 2014, and was succeeded by Archbishop Marlo Mendoza Peralta.

Later life and advocacy

As archbishop emeritus, Salgado continued his advocacy for the sainthood cause of Bishop Alfredo Verzosa, the first Catholic bishop from Ilocos Sur.