MikeLigalig.com

http://www.latestphilippinesnews.com/
by Mike Ortega Ligalig
July 5, 2014


Tagbilaran City, Bohol â€" Governor Edgar M. Chatto is hailing the appointment of a Boholano prelate as the Vatican’s permanent representative to the United Nations (UN).



Archbishop Bernardito Cleopas Auza


Chatto, in his weekly news conference here, said the nomination by Pope Francis of Archbishop Bernardito Cleopas Auza, who is the Apostolic Nuncio to Haiti, is a “source of hope, inspiration and pride for Boholanos and the entire Filipino nation.”

Auza is the first Filipino prelate appointed to such a significant post in the world-governing body. He replaces Indian Archbishop Francis Chullikatt, the first non-Italian bishop occupying Vatican’s diplomatic post in the UN.

The prelate, who was born and raised in Talibon, Bohol, has largely been credited by Vatican officials for his church rebuilding efforts in the wake of Haiti’s 7.0 magnitude earthquake in 2010.

“We have to start the reconstruction with very solid principles to avoid confusion and disappointments and ill feelings of those who are willing to help,” Auza was once quoted in 2010 by a Vatican newspaper.

Three years later, Auza’s home province was hit by an equally powerful earthquake on Oct. 15, 2013 which toppled centuries-old churches here.

Chatto said Auza has shown Boholanos how to rise from calamity and lend support to the helpless.

“We Boholanos should emulate the Christian life and Auza’s work which he exemplified best during times of disaster,” the governor said.

Auza, one of 12 siblings of Meliton Garcia Auza and Magdalena Polestico Cleopas, entered the Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary (IHMS) in Tagbilaran City, the only seminary school in Bohol which has produced hundreds of Boholano priests now assigned in various parishes here and abroad.

Auza pursued his Licentiate in Philosophy at the University of Sto. Tomas and earned the degree in 1981. He also obtained his Licentiate in Theology and his Masters in Education all in 1986.

The Boholano prelate was ordained bishop in California, USA in June, 1985.

VATICAN DIPLOMAT. Archbishop Bernardito Cleopas Auza speaks to students of Fordham University in the United States about serving in Haiti. File photo by Chris Taggart courtesy of Fordham University, www.fordham.edu

viva!  a pastor's heart with the grit of diplomacy?  what a combination.

I was so impressed with the nuncio, Archbishop Bernardito Cleopas Auza, who is Filipino.

I was so impressed by his ability to deal with the situation.   He had been stationed at the Holy See’s delegation to the United Nations in New York as well as Geneva, so he has an understanding of these international organizations, and he speaks perfect English which is helpful in dealing with U.S. organizations, especially the military.   I think he is a great support to the bishops of Haiti.

Cardinal Seán, Visiting Haiti in the aftermath of the earthquake
http://www.cardinalseansblog.org/2010/03/05/