Elias Lumayog Ayuban Jr.CMF (born January 1, 1968) is a Filipino bishop of the Roman Catholic Church. He is a Claretian clergyman who currently serves as the second bishop of Diocese of Cubao since 2024.
Ayuban gave his religious vows on July 16, 1995. He was ordained as a priest on March 9, 1996, in Quezon City. His first assignment was as the parish priest of the Risen Christ in Tungawan what was then part of Zamboanga del Sur from 1996 to 2000.[1][3] He took up various positions locally and in the Vatican. Ayuban also held academic roles, including at the Institute for Consecrated Life Asia and the Claret Theology House in Quezon City, and the University of Santo Tomas.[1][2]
Ayuban is the superior of the Filipino Claretian Province since 2019.[4]
On October 4, 2024, Ayuban was appointed as the second bishop of Diocese of Cubao, succeeding Bishop Honesto Ongtioco upon his episcopal ordination and canonical possession on December 3, 2024 with Cardinal Jose Advincula as the Principal Consecrator with Bishop Alberto Uy and Bishop Honesto Ongtioco as Co-Consecrators.[1] He is the second Filipino Claretian bishop installed as bishop after Leo Dalmao of the Prelature of Isabela de Basilan. José María Querejeta, a Spaniard, is the first ever Claretian bishop assigned to a bishop role in the Philippines, also in Basilan.[5] His episcopal ordination and the rite of canonical possession-installation was held at Cubao Cathedral on December 3, coinciding with the feast of Francis Xavier.[6]
Political positions
Ayuban publicly makes his positions in sociopolitical issues through editorials and social media posts.[2] He wrote a critical piece against then-president Rodrigo Duterte for the executive's remarks of God being "stupid" in a 2018 column in La Croix International.[2][7]
