Bishop Efren V. Esmilla

October 27, 2025

Bishop Efren V. Esmilla was born on June 18, 1962 to the late Cristobal and Crispina Esmilla. Prior to entering the program of priestly formation at Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree from San Beda College in Manila, the Philippines, in 1984. He earned a Master of Divinity degree at the seminary in 1992 and was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia on May 15, 1993.

Bishop Esmilla has provided pastoral ministry at several archdiocesan parishes, served in several roles at Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary, and served as the spiritual director for the Legion of Mary and chaplain of the archdiocesan Filipino Apostolate since 2005. He has also served as Regional Dean of Deanery 12 (Lower Northeast Philadelphia) and on the archdiocesan Continuing Formation Committee for Priests, the Council of Priests, the College of Consultors, and the Priest Personnel Board. He has served as pastor of Saint Martin of Tours Parish in Philadelphia since 2021.

He was appointed an Auxiliary Bishop of Philadephia by Pope Francis and ordained by Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez on March 7, 2024.

Bishop Esmilla is entrusted with pastoral care of Episcopal Region IV of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, which encompasses the parishes of the City of Philadelphia.