New Papal Nuncio to PHL to arrive in Manila July 15

The new Papal Nuncio to the Philippines, Archbishop Guiseppe Pinto, will to arrive in Manila on July 15, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) said on Wednesday. Outgoing CBCP secretary general Msgr. Juanito Figura said Pinto will arrive at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) at 9:50 a.m. via Cathay Pacific from Chile. "Pinto comes to the Philippines at a time when the Church’s image is challenged after some bishops accepted donations from a state-run lottery and became entangled in a corruption scandal," the CBCP said on its news site. As apostolic nuncio, Pinto’s principal task will be to strengthen ties between the Pope, the Philippine President, and the local bishops. Those expected to welcome Pinto are bishops led by Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales and outgoing CBCP President Tandag Bishop Nereo Odchimar. Pope Benedict XVI named Pinto the apostolic nuncio to the Philippines on May 10, three days after the former papal nuncio, Archbishop Edward Joseph Adams, left the Philippines on May 7. Adams was assigned to Greece after serving for several years in the Philippines. Pinto holds a doctorate in Canon Law and is fluent in Italian, French, English, and Spanish. His last assignment as papal nuncio was to Chile. He will be the 15th Papal representative and the 10th Apostolic nuncio to the Philippines. He had also served in Papua New Guinea, Argentina, and the Vatican City state secretariat. Pinto also served as apostolic nuncio to Senegal, Cape Verde, Mali, and Guinea-Bissau, and as apostolic delegate to Mauritania. The incoming papal nuncio entered the diplomatic service of the Holy See on May 1, 1984. - VVP, GMA News