Northern Samar has welcomed back His Excellency Charles Brown, Papal Nuncio, the Vatican Ambassador to the Philippines, on the 50th anniversary of the Diocese of Catarman last March 15.
After visiting the province in January this year for the installation and canonical possession of Bishop Nolly Buco as the third bishop of the Diocese of Catarman, the Palap Nuncio was back to join the celebration of a historical milestone, the Golden Founding Anniversary of the Diocese of Catarman.
Archbishop Brown arrived March 9 at the Catarman Airport where he was met by Vice Governor Clarence Dato, Bishop Buco and Msgr. Gaspar Balerite.
A warm standing parade of Nortehanons lined the route from the airport to the Our Lady of Annunciation Cathedral for the formal arrival honors led by Gov. Edwin Ongchuan, and wife, Ms. Bles Ongchuan.
The Vice Governor, members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, Catarman Mayor Francisco Aurelio Rosales III, BGen Efren Morados of the 803rd Infantry Brigade, PCol Sonnie Omengan, and Provincial Director of NSPPO, welcomed the Archbishop with Foyer’s Honors.
A ribbon cutting at the exhibit about the journey of Catarman as a Diocese for 50 fruitful years was also led by the Papal Nuncio, Bishop Buco and Governor Ongchuan. (Condensed, from the Facebook Page of Carl Sanchez Bordeos, Eastern Visayas Association of Museums)
