Pope Francis names Filipino archbishop new nuncio to Spain


Filipino Archbishop Bernardito Auza on Tuesday was appointed by Pope Francis as the new Apostolic Nuncio to Spain.
According to a report by the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines, Pope Francis announced Auza's appointment at 6 p.m. in Rome.
Auza succeeded retired Italian Archbishop Renzo Fratini, who held the post for 10 years since 2009.
Fratini turned 75 this July, requiring him to submit his resignation to the pope by order of the canon law.
Prior to this appointment, Auza had been the Holy See's Permanent Observer to the United Nations in New York since 2014.
According to Bishop Ruperto Santos of Balanga, a Filipino being the new papal envoy to Spain is "very significant and meaningful."
“On the forthcoming grace-filled event of 500 years of Christianization of our country, the Philippine Church gives her gift and gratitude in the person of Archbishop Auza,” Santos said.
Magellan came to the Philippines in 1521 and attempted to colonize the islands for Spain and spread Christianity among the islands' residents, but he and his crew were killed by Lapu Lapu's troops.
Auza was an ordained priest for the Diocese of Tagbilaran in 1985. He was then incardinated to the Diocese of Talibon in 1986. — Joahna Lei Casilao/BM, GMA News

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