Emilio Z. Marquez

In this Philippine name, the middle name or maternal family name is Zurbano and the surname or paternal family name is Marquez.

Emilio Zurbano Marquez is a Filipino bishop of the Roman Catholic Church who served as the fourth bishop of Diocese of Lucena. He previously served as the first Bishop of Gumaca in Quezon province from January 29, 1985, until his appointment as Coadjutor Bishop of Lucena and Apostolic Administrator of Gumaca on May 4, 2002. After the resignation of Bishop Bishop Ruben T. Profugo in 2003, Bishop Marquez was installed as the fourth Bishop of Lucena on November 4, 2003.^[2] He was also the chairman and CEO of Mount Carmel Diocesan General Hospital in Lucena City, Quezon. Marquez retired as Bishop of Lucena on July 29, 2017, upon reaching the canonical retirement age of 75. Pope Francis accepted his resignation and appointed Bishop Mel Rey Uy, then the economer of the Diocese of Romblon, as his successor.^[3]

The Most Reverend Emilio Z. Marquez D.D., JCL
Bishop Emeritus of Lucena
Province	Lipa
See	Lucena
Appointed	May 4, 2002
Installed	November 4, 2003
Retired	July 29, 2017
Predecessor	Ruben T. Profugo
Successor	Mel Rey Uy
Previous post(s)	Co-Adjutor Bishop of Lucena (2002-2003) Bishop of Gumaca (1984-2002)
Orders
Ordination	June 6, 1964 by Alfredo Obviar
Consecration	January 29, 1985 by Bruno Torpigliani
Personal details
Born	Emilio Zurbano Marquez (1941-05-28) May 28, 1941 (age 84) Lopez, Quezon, Commonwealth of the Philippines
Nationality	Filipino
Denomination	Roman Catholic
Education	Mount Carmel Seminary, Sariaya, Quezon UST Central Seminary, Lucena City Faculdad Teologica del Norte de España, Burgos, Spain Angelicum University, Rome, Italy Lateran University, Rome, Italy
Motto	"Nomen Domini Invocabo" (I will call on the name of the Lord)[1]
Coat of arms

Styles of Emilio Marquez
Reference style	His Excellency The Most Reverend
Spoken style	Your Excellency
Religious style	Bishop

Early life and education

Marquez was born on May 28, 1941, in Lopez, Quezon. He completed his elementary education at Lopez Elementary School and attended high school at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Seminary in Tayabas, Quezon. He pursued philosophical and theological studies at the University of Santo Tomas Central Seminary in Manila. Furthering his education, he undertook postgraduate studies in theology at the Universidad Teológica del Norte de España in Burgos, Spain, and at the Angelicum University in Rome, Italy. He also obtained a Licentiate in Canon Law from the Lateran University in Rome.^[1][4]

Priesthood

Marquez was ordained a priest on June 6, 1964, by Bishop Alfredo Ma. Obviar. He served in various capacities, including as a professor and later vice rector at Mount Carmel Seminary in Sariaya, Quezon. He also held the position of rector at St. Alphonsus School of Theology in Lucena City and served as a parish priest in Pagbilao, Quezon.

Episcopal ministry

On December 15, 1984, Marquez was appointed as the first Bishop of the newly established Diocese of Gumaca and was consecrated on January 29, 1985, by Archbishop Bruno Torpigliani. He served in Gumaca until May 4, 2002, when he was appointed Coadjutor Bishop of Lucena and Apostolic Administrator of Gumaca.^[5][6]

Following the resignation of Bishop Ruben T. Profugo in 2003, Marquez was installed as the fourth Bishop of Lucena on November 4, 2003.

He was a staunch advocate of social justice and frequently spoke out against illegal gambling and human rights abuses in the province, calling on government officials to implement ethical leadership.^[7][8]

He retired on July 29, 2017, and was succeeded by Bishop Mel Rey Uy.^[3]

Legacy

As Bishop Emeritus, Marquez continues to provide spiritual guidance and remains active in church affairs. In 2024, he celebrated the 60th anniversary of his priestly ordination, marking a significant milestone in his lifelong dedication to the Church.^[6]