November 18, 2007 | 12:00am
President Arroyo welcomed the new Papal Nuncio to the Philippines, Archbishop Edward Joseph Adams, with an expression of hope that pontifical and diplomatic relations between the country and the Vatican will be strengthened further.
Arrival honors were given to Adams upon his arrival at Malacañang where he presented to the President his letter of credentials as the new Apostolic Nuncio and representative of the Vatican to the Philippines.
Adams replaced Archbishop Fernando Filoni who was appointed Substitute of the Vatican Secretariat of State last June.
Born in Philadelphia, the 63-year-old Adams was ordained to priesthood in May 1970 and is the 14th in the line of Apostolic delegates and Apostolic Nuncios to the Philippines.
In his opening statement, Adams said that, “It is a great privilege and honor for me to serve the people of the Philippines who are a great believer in God.”
“I am also confident that I would fulfill my duty and mission here in your country and to truly serve the purpose of our Holy Father, the Pope,” Adams told the President at the start of their meeting in Malacañang.
The President said that the country was honored to have Adams as the new Papal Nuncio to the Philippines.
“I am sure you will truly serve my country and my people and in strengthening the relations of the Vatican with the Philippines,” the President said.
After signing the Presidential Guest Book, Adams proceeded to his one-on-one meeting with the President.
Adams was accompanied by Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo, Undersecretary of the Office of the Religious Affairs Fatima Valdes, Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Rosales, Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines president and Jaro Archbishop Angel Lagdameo, Rev. Msgr. Wojsiech Zaluski, Rev. Msgr Giorgio Chezza and Rev. Msgr. Stefano Mazzoti.
