New Vatican envoy arrives in Manila

MANILA, Philippines — New Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Charles John Brown arrived in Manila yesterday, according to the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP).

Brown arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2 on a Philippine Airlines flight from New York.

The 61-year-old American bishop was met at the airport by CBCP vice president and Caloocan Bishop Pablo Virgilio David, Parañaque Bishop Jesse Mercado and staff of the Apostolic Nunciature in Manila.

From the airport, Brown prayed at the Mary Mother of God Counsel Parish Church in Parañaque.

Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar represented the government in welcoming the new Vatican envoy.

“The papal nuncio will be formally presented to Malacañang after 14 days,” David said.

An apostolic nuncio represents the pope to the church in his assigned country.

Pope Francis appointed Brown as Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines on Sept. 28.

Brown replaced Italian Archbishop Gabriele Giordano Caccia, who has been designated as the pope’s Permanent Observer to the United Nations in New York.

Brown said he is looking forward to meeting other Philippine bishops through teleconference during their plenary assembly in January next year.

Prior to his new assignment, Brown was Apostolic Nuncio to Albania since March 2017. - Alexis Romero