Msgr. Catalan is the first priest of the Archdiocese of Manila to become a Nuncio.
POPE Francis has appointed Rev. Msgr. Arnaldo Sanchez Catalan as the new Apostolic Nuncio to Rwanda, the Archdiocese of Manila and the Holy See Press Office announced this week.
In a statement, Manila Archbishop Jose Cardinal Advincula expressed gratitude to the Holy Father “for this gift and honor and considers the appointment of Archbishop-elect Catalan as historic being the first priest of the Archdiocese of Manila to become a Nuncio.”
In appointing Catalan as a Vatican envoy, the Pope also elevated him to the titular See of Apollonia, with the dignity of Archbishop.
Advincula also greeted the new archbishop-elect, assuring him of the support and prayers from the archdiocese as he takes on his new mission in Rwanda.
The 55-year old Catalan was ordained into priesthood in March 1994 and had been serving as the Chargé d'affaires of the Apostolic Nunciature in China (Taiwan) since 2019.
Catalan joined the Holy See Diplomatic Service in July 2001. Since then, he has served in the Apostolic Nunciatures in Zambia, Kuwait, Mexico, Honduras, Turkey, India, Argentina, Canada, and the Philippines.
Rwanda’s newest apostolic nuncio succeeds Archbishop Andrzej Józwowicz who was transferred to Iran in June 2021.
An apostolic nuncio is an ecclesiastical diplomat, serving as a permanent diplomatic representative of the Holy See to a state.
He is generally equivalent in rank to that of ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary, performing the same functions as an ambassador and with the same diplomatic privileges.
The details of his episcopal ordination are yet to be announced.
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