CBCP: New Pinoy nuncio to Haiti faces 'tough' challenges

MANILA, Philippines - Newly consecrated Filipino archbishop Bernardito Auza will face tough challenges in his new mission as apostolic nuncio to Haiti, the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines said Tuesday.

A statement on the CBCP website said Auza, 49, would have to work amid "never-ending conflict and even bloodshed" as Haitians are longing for economic and political stability.

"There a people wait to be helped in their efforts of material and spiritual progress ... (His work will be) not a small one," said papal nuncio to the Philippines Edward Joseph Adams.

Adams made the remarks in his sermon during Auza's thanksgiving Mass at the Manila Cathedral Monday. Excerpts of his homily were posted on the CBCP website Tuesday.

Haiti is one of the poorest countries on earth with about 56 percent of its 8.2 million populations live in extreme poverty.

Also, Adams said Haiti is deeply in need and its economy virtually bled dry. He said violence is everywhere there.

The papal nuncio added that at one time, around 85% of the eight million or so Haitians were Catholics. Today, they make up less than 50% of the population, he said.

Sadly, he added, many of them only have a hazy understanding of the teachings of the Church, especially those unable to afford a good education.

Adams said the situation in Haiti represents a major challenge for the Catholic Church and needs to be countered with the help of priests, religious and lay pastoral workers.

Auza will celebrate Mass with Haiti's Catholic bishops on September 9 but he will officially assume his post as Papal nuncio on August 15.

He admitted he has to face urgent concerns in his new assignment, saying "There are many issues, I'm sure."

Pope Benedict XVI appointed Auza as Nuncio to Haiti last May 8 but it was only last July 3 when he was ordained to the episcopacy by Vatican's Secretary of State Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone at the Basilica of St. Peter in Rome.

Auza is the fourth Filipino to be appointed to such a high diplomatic position in the Catholic Church.

The first to be named apostolic nuncio is Archbishop Oswaldo Padilla, now in Korea. The second is Archbishop Adolfo Yllana currently in Pakistan. The third is Padilla's younger brother, Archbishop Francisco Padilla, now in Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands. - GMANews.TV

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