NEW PAPAL NUNCIO TO PH. PCOO Secretary Martin Andanar (left) welcomes new Papal Nuncio to Manila, Archbishop Charles John Brown (right) at the NAIA Terminal 2 on Sunday (Nov. 29, 2020). Brown was appointed by Pope Francis as the Vatican's envoy to the Philippines on September 28. (Photo courtesy of Archdiocese of Manila - Office of Communications)
MANILA – Papal Nuncio to the Philippines, Archbishop Charles John Brown, is expected to meet officials of the Philippine government in December.
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Philippines (CBCP) news website reported on Monday that the Vatican's envoy is set to present his credentials to the government in December.
As Papal Nuncio, he will represent the Vatican City to the Philippine government, and represent the Pope to the country’s Catholic Church.
Brown arrived in Manila on Sunday to assume his duties as the new Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines.
He arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 2 onboard Philippine Airlines from his home city, New York, in the United States at around 7:20 a.m.
The Vatican ambassador was welcomed by CBCP vice president and Caloocan Bishop Pablo Virgilio David and Parañaque Bishop Jesse Mercado.
He was also greeted by some government officials including Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar and staff of the Apostolic Nunciature in Manila upon his arrival at the airport.
The American archbishop prayed at the Mary, Mother of Good Counsel Parish Church in Parañaque City, marking his first visit to a church in the country.
Brown had become a devotee of Our Lady of Good Counsel when he was assigned in Albania, his last assignment before he was appointed to the Philippines by Pope Francis on Sept. 28.
He succeeded Archbishop Gabriele Caccia, who is now the head of the Holy See’s Permanent Observer Mission in the United Nations in New York.
In many Catholic countries like the Philippines, the Pope’s representative is also the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps. (PNA)
