Pope Francis on Thursday accepted the resignation of Bishop Buenaventura Famadico from the pastoral governance of the Diocese of San Pablo for health reasons.

The decision came following Famadico’s “recent hospitalization because of a serious heart ailment,” according to the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP).

“We pray for the healing and recovery of Bishop Ben, who rendered ten years of pastoral service to the faithful of San Pablo,” said Msgr. Bernardo Pantin, CBCP Secretary General.

At the same time, the pope has appointed 60-year-old Bishop Mylo Hubert Vergara of Pasig as the apostolic administrator sede vacante of the diocese in Laguna province.

Vergara, who is also the current CBCP vice president, will temporarily oversee the diocese until the new bishop of San Pablo is appointed and installed.

“We also pray for Bishop Vergara who will pastorally govern the said diocese until a new bishop is appointed by the Holy Father,” Pantin said.

Ordained a priest in 1983, Famadico became the auxiliary bishop of Lipa in 2002. Over a year later, in 2003, he was appointed as the bishop of Gumaca.

Famadico, who is now 67 years old, served as bishop of San Pablo since 2013.