Vatican’s new diplomat set to arrive in Manila this weekend

MANILA, Philippines — Vatican’s new ambassador to the Philippines will arrive on Sunday, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) announced on Wednesday.

Archbishop Charles John Brown is expected to fill the Apostolic Nuncio’s post vacated by Archbishop Gabriele Giordano Caccia. Caccia was appointed November last year as the Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations in New York.

According to CBCP, Brown’s arrival in Manila was announced in a communiqué. The Filipino bishops welcomed his scheduled arrival prior to next year’s celebration of the 500th anniversary of the arrival of Christianity in the country.

“We wish His Excellency a fruitful, meaningful, and memorable stay in our country,” Bishop Gerardo Alminaza of San Carlos said.

The new Apostolic Nuncio will be coming from his home city, New York, following a few weeks break from his tour of duty as nuncio to Albania.

The 61-year-old American archbishop was appointed by Pope Francis as the new ambassador to the Philippines on September 28.

Brown met the Pope during a private audience in the Vatican last October 23 before starting his new mission.

The diplomat is expected to present his credentials to the Philippine government.

JE