MANILA (UCAN): The Archdiocese of Cebu announced that Father Jan Thomas Limchua was named papal chaplain and given the honorific, Monsignor, by Pope Francis.
The announcement was confirmed by Father Limchua on his Facebook page on October 20.
“With much humility and gratitude, I share to you the news that His Holiness Pope Francis has deigned to grant me the honorific rank of ‘Chaplain of His Holiness’ (Monsignore Cappellano di Sua Santità), thus making me officially part of the Pontifical Family,” Father Limchua said in the statement.
A papal chaplain is a title given to a priest by the pope with certain privileges with respect to ecclesiastical duties and vestments.
Father Limchua thanked his family and the Archdiocese of Cebu of for their prayers and support during his stay at the Vatican in Rome.
“While I give thanks to the Almighty and to His Holiness for such a privileged honour bestowed upon me, my family and the Archdiocese of Cebu, I graciously ask for your continued prayers as I, with my own limitations, commit myself more deeply to serve the Church with joy, humility and generosity. AMDG (Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam [to the greater glory of God]),” Father Limchua added.
The 36-year-old priest had worked under Vatican secretary of state, Pietro Cardinal Parolin, as an official in the Section for Relations with States of the Holy See.
He was ordained a priest in Cebu before leaving for Rome to pursue his doctoral studies in canon law at the Pontifical Lateran University.
The Cebuano priest also undertook diplomatic studies at the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy which qualified him to serve at apostolic nunciatures in Egypt and elsewhere in Africa.
As we celebrate the 500 years of Christianity in the Philippines. The Chaplaincy to Filipino Migrants organises an on-line talk every Tuesday at 9.00pm. You can join us at:
https://www.Facebook.com/CFM-Gifted-to-give-101039001847033
The Archdiocese of Cebu said Father Limchua’s appointment was a great honour for the Philippine Church.
“This is a great honour (for) Cebu and to the Philippines. His appointment is an indication that Pope Francis is pleased with his service to the pope and to the Catholic Church,” said Monsignor Joseph Tan, spokesperson of the archdiocese.
The faithful in Cebu also offered their prayers and support to the newest Filipino priest working at the Vatican.
“We congratulate Father Limchua for this great honour. Not all priests have the honour of being a member of the papal household. This means he will be close to the Holy Father and we wish that he brings to the pope the love of all Cebuanos and Filipinos,” one person from Cebu, Abigail Fragante, said.
“It’s clear that Filipinos have earned the heart of Pope Francis. Appointing Cardinal (Luis Antonio) Tagle as prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples is also a sign of this trust,” she said.
