Most Rev. Raul Bautista Dael, D.D. is the third Bishop of Tandag. He was appointed by Pope Francis on 26 February 2018, ordained bishop on 7 June 2018 at St. Augustine Cathedral in Cagayan de Oro, and installed in Tandag on 14 June 2018.
Duc in altum — Put out into the deep.
Luke 5:4, episcopal motto of Bishop Dael
Life and ministry
Bishop Dael was born on 10 October 1966 in Jasaan, Misamis Oriental, the son of a fisherman. He studied philosophy at Xavier University and theology at St. John Vianney Theological Seminary in Cagayan de Oro, and was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro on 7 June 1993.
He later earned a licentiate in theology at the Loyola School of Theology, Ateneo de Manila, and studied spirituality at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome. As a priest he served as parochial vicar of the Metropolitan Cathedral, as parish administrator, as professor and director of spiritual and pastoral formation at St. John Vianney Theological Seminary, and as Episcopal Vicar for Clergy of the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro.
He was ordained bishop by Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, with Archbishop Antonio Ledesma, SJ, and Bishop Nereo Odchimar, his predecessor in Tandag, as co-consecrators.
The Bishops of Tandag
| # | Bishop | Years | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Most Rev. Ireneo A. Amantillo, C.Ss.R. | 1978 – 2001 | First bishop; installed 7 November 1978. Motto: “Maayong balita alang sa mga kabus” (Good news for the poor). Died 11 October 2018. |
| 2 | Most Rev. Nereo P. Odchimar | 2001 – 2018 | President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, 2009–2011. Began the new Cathedral of San Nicolas de Tolentino. Died 1 February 2024. |
| 3 | Most Rev. Raul B. Dael | 2018 – present | Installed 14 June 2018. Motto: “Duc in altum.” |
May the Lord grant eternal rest to Bishop Amantillo and Bishop Odchimar, who gave their lives to this local Church.