THE Vatican’s apostolic nuncio to the Philippines Archbishop Charles John Brown visited two of the historic churches of Pampanga during his brief visit to the province.
The Papal Nuncio visited the sunken San Guillermo Parish Church in Bacolor town, where he was welcomed by local parish officials. During his message to the people of Bacolor, the Papal Nuncio expressed the sympathies and feelings of Pope Francis to the Filipino people. He also highlighted the Pinatubo experience of the people of Bacolor.
“We see that any kind of natural disaster that produces suffering, sadness and death can also be a moment which gives us the opportunity to love one another more. It is in the face of tragedy that the Christian spirit reaches its fulfillment in compassion,” the Nuncio said.
The Papal Nuncio added that he will be meeting Pope Francis soon and will convey the greetings of the Kapampangans to the Holy Father.
He later visited the Santiago Apostol Parish in Betis where the Nuncio marveled at the wonderful ecclesiastical art preserved inside the church, particularly its painted ceiling and altar.
Canonical coronation
The Papal Nuncio was in Pampanga for the September 8 reenactment of the canonical coronation of Virgen Delos Remedios and the liturgical celebration.
To recall, the ambassador from the Holy See was treated to honors befitting a dignitary and was presented with the keys to the province at the steps of the legislative building by Governor Dennis Pineda.
The Papal Nuncio signed the Capitol guestbook and toured around the lobby where images of the Virgin Mary under several devotional titles have been mounted for a private exhibit.
A formal program followed at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan Session Hall where the Papal Nuncio was presented with a Provincial Board Resolution and gifts commissioned by the Province of Pampanga.
Pineda had asked premier ecclesiastical artist Willy Layug for the gift to be presented to the nuncio, an image of the replica of the Virgen Delos Remedios de Baliti, the first image used during the early years of the Crusade of Penance and Charity, which popularized the devotion to the Blessed Virgin under the same title.