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Fr. Sean Mejia, the temporary administrator of the Apostolic Vicariate of Tabuk, has been appointed as its new bishop.

According to Philippines News Agency, Pope Leo XIV has appointed the new Catholic prelate on Tuesday. The announcement came on Mejia's 54th birthday, marking a significant milestone as he becomes the third apostolic vicar of Tabuk, a missionary jurisdiction established in 1992.

As the apostolic vicar, the bishop-elect will lead a mission territory where the Church is not yet organized as a diocese. Mejia has been serving as pro-apostolic vicar since March 31, 2025, overseeing the vicariate's governance and pastoral care.

Born in Bulanao, Tabuk City, Mejia pursued his philosophical studies at San Pablo Seminary in Baguio City and theology at the Immaculate Conception School of Theology in Vigan City. He was ordained a priest for the vicariate on October 19, 1999, and holds a licentiate in canon law from the Pontifical Urban University in Rome.

Throughout his career, Mejia has undertaken numerous pastoral and administrative roles, including parochial vicar of Flora Catholic Mission, head of Lubuagan Catholic Mission, formator at seminaries in Vigan, chancellor of the vicariate, and parish priest of St. William's Cathedral in Tabuk City. He has also been the chair of the Education Commission, superintendent of Catholic schools in Tabuk, and director of the vicariate's Faith and Doctrine Commission and Ecology Desk.

The vicariate has been without a bishop since February 2025, following the transfer of Bishop Prudencio Andaya Jr. to the Diocese of Cabanatuan. The vicariate encompasses about 22 mission stations and parishes, administered by 25 diocesan priests with support from missionary priests of various congregations.