Highlights from the 75 Years Anniversary of the Apostolic Nunciature in the Philippines
- 1 hour ago
- 4 min read
Text by Dominus Est
Photos by the Manila Cathedral
On April 8, 2026 the Apostolic Nunciature in the Philippines celebrated 75 years of Diplomatic Relations between the Holy See and the Republic of the Philippines.
The event began with a Eucharistic Celebration at 5:00 p.m. presided by the Apostolic Nuncio Most Rev. Charles John Brown with Cardinal Jose Advincula, Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David, and Cardinal Orlando Quevedo; bishops from all over the nation; Fr. Lino Gregorio Redoblado, OFM, Provincial of the Order of Friars Minor or the Franciscans; Msgr. Reginald Malicdem, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Manila; and countless priests.
In his homily, Archbishop Brown noted that the diplomatic relations began in 1951 under Pope Pius XII and President Elpidio Quirino. (For a full transcript of the homily, see https://www.dominusest.ph/post/75-years-of-relations-between-the-philippines-and-the-holy-see).
He noted the wonderful timing as the anniversary falls in the Easter season.
"It is indeed providential that in these very days of Easter when Christians celebrate the restoration of relations between God and the human race brought about the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, that we celebrate and commemorate and celebrate these relations between the Philippines and the Holy See," the Nuncio said.
While embassies generally focus on relations between and among states, Archbishop Brown noted that the Holy See goes beyond this.
"Christianity is all about relationship. Indeed, in Christian doctrine, God himself in his absolute reality is understood as relationship, the holy and undivided trinity as far as the human mind enlightened by revelation can grasp it, exists as a relationship of three persons in one being. But the Christian notion of relationship is not confined to God himself in his inner nature but to all of reality. As Pope Francis wrote in his encyclical letter Laudato Si, human life itself is grounded in three fundamental and closely intertwined relationships: with God, with our neighbor and with the Earth itself."
He paid tribute to St. Peter, the first Pope and the foundational "rock" upon which Christ built His Church, who in a way sent the first 'Nuncios' around the world.
"St Peter who was mentioned in both readings this evening ... went to Rome where he was martyred. ... And it was from Rome that St Peter's successors—the popes—began to send diplomatic emissaries throughout the world, precisely to create and maintain relationships. In the first millennium, the first thousand years of church history, the Pope sent envoys to the Imperial Court in Constantinople. These emissaries in a certain sense were the first Nuncios."
He also noted that it was the Holy See that established the first embassy in history.
"Later in the second millennium, it was the Holy See that hosted the first permanent embassy in history of one state to another: the Embassy of the Kingdom of Spain to the Holy See which dates from 1480 and which still exists today in the square named for it in Rome ... the Piazza di Spagna."
He also explained why the embassy in the Philippines was established in 1951 and not earlier.
"Here in the Philippines, when the nation ceased to be under Spanish control in 1898, the Holy See began to send a series of representatives in Manila but these representatives did not have diplomatic status as the Philippines was not yet a fully sovereign state. In 1946, however, when the Philippines achieved sovereignty, the process began which resulted in the establishment of diplomatic relations with other nations in the world and with the Holy See, which took place on this day April 8th 1951 and was followed by the appointment just 24 hours later of the first Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines, Archbishop Egidio Vagnozzi."
The Eucharistic Celebration was followed by a gala with the Diplomatic Corps held at the Marble Hall of Ayutamiento, attended by the President of the Philippines, H.E. Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., as guest of honor. Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with States and International Organizations of the Holy See, delivered a video message from the Vatican.
The program, hosted by Dominus Est editor-in-chief Margaux Salcedo, included a presentation of the logo designed by Dominus Est artist Jon Lecias. Salcedo explained:
The logo reflects the colors of the Philippine flag and of the Vatican. On one side, you will notice the rays that you see on the sun in the Philippine flag. On the other side, you will notice the crossed keys of Saint Peter that are seen in the Vatican flag, which represent the unity under the papacy of spiritual power and earthly authority.
A historical documentary on the history of the Apostolic Nunciature in Manila was also presented by TV Maria. There were also performances by the Young Voices of the Philippines. Finally, toasts were offered by the President of the Philippines and the Apostolic Nuncio.
Happy 75 Years of Diplomatic Relations between the Holy See and the Philippines!
Deo Gratias!
Comments