Pope Francis names Boholano archbishop as ambassador to EU

This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article.

Archbishop Bernardito Auza of Talibon, Bohol, the new apostolic nuncio to the European Union, is the Pope’s outgoing ambassador to Spain

MANILA, Philippines – Pope Francis named Archbishop Bernardito Cleopas Auza of Talibon, Bohol, as the new ambassador of the Holy See to the European Union, the Vatican announced on Saturday, March 22.

Auza, 65, is the outgoing apostolic nuncio to Spain — a posting that was viewed as a “full circle” moment for the Philippines, since it was Spain that brought Christianity to this Southeast Asian country over 500 years ago. 

Auza is a veteran Vatican diplomat who served as the permanent observer of the Holy See to the United Nations from 2014 to 2019.

He was also the apostolic nuncio to Haiti from 2008 to 2014. Before this, he had also served in Madagascar, Bulgaria, and Albania in a diplomatic career that spans over three decades, beginning in 1990.

He was ordained to the priesthood under the Diocese of Tagbilaran in 1985, according to the news service of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines. He later formed part of the new Diocese of Talibon in 1986.

Tagbilaran Bishop Alberto Uy, in a Facebook post on Saturday, hailed the appointment of Auza as nuncio to the EU. “Proudly Boholano, from Talibon — Archbishop Barney Auza,” Uy said.

His appointment adds to the growing number of Filipino clergymen in key positions in the Catholic Church. Other Filipinos have also been named papal nuncios while the highest ranking clergyman from the Philippines, Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, is pro-prefect of the powerful Dicastery for Evangelization. – Rappler.com