Embassy of the Philippines, Holy See

Last updated
Embassy of the Philippines to the Holy See
Pasuguan ng Pilipinas sa Banal na Luklukan
Legatio Philippinarum ad Sanctam Sedem
Ambasciata delle Filippine presso la Santa Sede
Pasuguan ng Pilipinas seal.svg
Piazza Sant Uffizio - Rome (IT62) - 2021-08-27 - 1.jpg
Embassy of the Philippines, Holy See
Location Rome (Flag of Italy.svg  Italy)
AddressVia Paolo VI, 29
Coordinates 41°54′3.7″N12°27′24.8″E / 41.901028°N 12.456889°E / 41.901028; 12.456889
Ambassador Myla Grace Ragenia C. Macahilig
Website vaticanpe.dfa.gov.ph

The Embassy of the Philippines to the Holy See is the diplomatic mission of the Republic of the Philippines to the Holy See, the central government of Vatican City and the Roman Catholic Church. Opened in 1957, it is located along Via Paolo VI in the rione of Borgo, part of Municipio I in central Rome along the border between Italy and Vatican City, and across from St. Peter's Square.

Contents

It is distinct from the larger Embassy of the Philippines in Rome, the Philippines' diplomatic mission to Italy.

History

Although diplomatic relations between the Philippines and the Holy See were established on April 8, 1951, [1] the Philippines did not immediately open a separate mission to the Holy See. While a mission had been planned since at least 1949, [2] on January 5, 1951 President Elpidio Quirino signed Executive Order No. 351, placing the Holy See under the jurisdiction of the Philippine Embassy in Madrid. [3] Manuel Moran, who was the Philippines' first ambassador to Spain, was accredited on June 4, 1951 as the country's first ambassador to the Holy See. [4]

Quirino's successor, Ramon Magsaysay, would attempt to establish a separate embassy, with Moran continuing to serve as ambassador to the Holy See even though his term as ambassador to Spain ended in 1953. [5] Financial difficulties, however, prevented the setup of an actual chancery as the Senate refused to approve in 1955 a $24,000 (equivalent to $231,861in 2020) budget allocation for an embassy to the Holy See; the bulk of the allocation intended for the Holy See instead went to establishing the future Philippine Embassy in Cairo, which Magsaysay's budget originally did not ask for. [6]

A resident embassy was only established in 1957 during the presidency of Carlos P. Garcia, Magsaysay's successor and a strong supporter of an embassy to the Holy See, [6] despite Congress only granting the mission a budgetary allocation of $9,410 (equivalent to $86,708in 2020) instead of the $33,000 (equivalent to $304,077in 2020) originally requested. [7] Jose Maria Delgado, a former Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus and one of four candidates who Magsaysay had considered for ambassador, [8] would become the first resident ambassador to the Holy See. [7] Delgado would later depart Manila to assume his post on August 16, 1957. [9]

Staff and activities

Entrance to the Embassy together with the dome of St. Peter's Basilica The Philippine Embassy to the Holy See.jpg
Entrance to the Embassy together with the dome of St. Peter's Basilica

The Philippine Embassy to the Holy See is headed by Ambassador Myla Grace Ragenia C. Macahilig, who was named to the position by President Rodrigo Duterte on January 15, 2021. [10] Prior to becoming Ambassador, Macahilig, a career diplomat for 23 years, served as Assistant Secretary for Fiscal Management Services at the Department of Foreign Affairs, and prior to that served at served at the Philippine Embassy in London, with the Holy See being her first ambassadorial posting. [11] Her appointment was confirmed by the Commission on Appointments on June 2, 2021. [11]

Notable diplomats who have been deployed to the Embassy as Ambassadors to the Holy See include Mercedes Arrastia-Tuason, whose husband is the cousin of First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo, [12] Henrietta de Villa, co-founder of the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting, [13] and Cristina Ponce Enrile, wife of Juan Ponce Enrile. [14] Ambassadors to the Holy See have traditionally been political appointees, with the first career diplomat, Grace R. Princesa, only having been appointed to the ambassadorship in 2018. [15]

A nun voting at the Embassy during the 2019 general election 2019 Overseas Absentee Voting - PE Vatican.jpg
A nun voting at the Embassy during the 2019 general election

The Philippines is one of the world's largest Catholic countries, and as such this informs the Embassy's functions and activities: during her ambassadorship, Princesa outlined the Embassy's work as being a ministry "of presence, smile [ sic ] and good examples". [16] Its offices are kept busy year-round by the many requests for assistance from Filipino pilgrims to Catholic pilgrimage sites in both Italy and the Vatican, [17] and its consular section, separate from that of the Philippine Embassy in Rome which caters to the broader population of Filipino Italians, serves the more than 3,000 Filipino religious serving in Italy, even maintaining a separate polling center exclusive to them during elections. [17] Its cultural activities are similarly informed by the Catholic faith, including organizing the first Filipino nativity scene at St. Peter's Square, [18] and arranging a visit to Santa Pudenziana for the Holy See's diplomatic corps and the Filipino community in Italy, [19] although some of its activities, such as erecting a statue of José Rizal at Piazzale Manila in Rome, [20] are secular in nature. The Embassy likewise works closely with the Pontificio Collegio Filippino, where some of its events are held, [17] and it also exercises jurisdiction over the Philippines' relationship with the Sovereign Military Order of Malta. [21]

Of all the embassies in Rome, the Philippine Embassy to the Holy See is the mission located closest to St. Peter's Square. [13] It has used this to its advantage: during de Villa's ambassadorship, its restrooms were opened on Wednesdays, the day of the weekly Papal Audience, to Filipino pilgrims visiting the Vatican, and staff members would arrange stacks of rosaries brought by Overseas Filipino Workers by the windows so that they would be "blessed by the Pope" as he was speaking to the crowds at St. Peter's Square. [13]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rufino Santos</span>

Rufino Jiao Santos was the 29th Archbishop of Manila from February 10, 1953, until his death on September 3, 1973, and was the first Filipino elevated to the rank of cardinal.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Apostolic Nunciature to the Philippines</span> Vatican ambassador in Manila

The Apostolic Nunciature in the Philippines is a top-level diplomatic mission assigned by the Holy See to the Philippines, located at 2140 Taft Avenue, Malate, Manila.

The Holy See has long been recognised as a subject of international law and as an active participant in international relations. One observer has stated that its interaction with the world has, in the period since World War II, been at its highest level ever. It is distinct from the city-state of the Vatican City, over which the Holy See has "full ownership, exclusive dominion, and sovereign authority and jurisdiction".

Dr. José María Delgado was the first Philippine Ambassador to the Vatican. He was the cousin of Francisco Afan Delgado, descendant of General Martín Teófilo Delgado.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Holy See–Ireland relations</span> Bilateral relations

Holy See–Ireland relations are foreign relations between the Holy See and Ireland. The majority of Irish people identify as Roman Catholic, according to census data. However, views on actual church dogma both on social and spiritual matters varies significantly, and weekly mass attendance is below 40%. The Holy See has an Apostolic Nunciature in Dublin.

The Embassy of the United States of America to the Holy See is the diplomatic mission of United States of America to the Holy See, a term referring to the central government and universal reach of the Roman Catholic Church.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Charles John Brown</span> American bishop and Vatican nuncio

Charles John Brown is an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church who has been serving as an apostolic nuncio since 2012. He is currently the apostolic nuncio to the Philippines. Before entering the diplomatic service of the Holy See, Brown worked at the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mercedes Arrastia-Tuason</span>

Maria Mercedes Arrastia y Reinares vda. de Tuason also known as Mercedes Tuason in Lubao, Pampanga, is a Philippine diplomat and former ambassador to the Holy See. An alumnus of Saint Scholastica's Catholic college in Manila, Tuason has served in the field of nutritional sciences and was appointed plenipotentiary to the Holy See in 2009.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Holy See–Philippines relations</span> Bilateral relations

Holy See–Philippines relations refers to the relations between the Holy See and the Philippines. As one of two Catholic-majority countries in Asia, the Philippines enjoys significant relations with the Holy See. The Holy See has a nunciature in Manila, and the Philippines has an embassy to the Holy See based in Rome.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Embassy of Taiwan, Holy See</span> Republic of China de jure embassy in the Vatican

The Embassy of the Republic of China (Taiwan) to the Holy See is the diplomatic mission of the Republic of China accredited to the Holy See, one of its few de jure embassies in the world, and the only one remaining in Europe. It also has responsibility for relations with the Sovereign Military Order of Malta.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Embassy of the Philippines, Kuala Lumpur</span> Diplomatic mission of the Philippines in Malaysia

The Embassy of the Philippines in Kuala Lumpur is the diplomatic mission of the Republic of the Philippines to Malaysia. It is at 1 Jalan Changkat Kia Peng in central Kuala Lumpur, near significant city landmarks like the Kuala Lumpur City Centre and Bukit Bintang.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Embassy of the Philippines, Cairo</span> Diplomatic mission of the Philippines in Egypt

The Embassy of the Philippines in Cairo is the diplomatic mission of the Republic of the Philippines to the Arab Republic of Egypt. Opened in 1960, it is currently located in the southern Maadi district of Cairo, near the Cairo American College.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Embassy of the Philippines, Berlin</span> Diplomatic mission of the Philippines in Germany

The Embassy of the Philippines in Berlin is the diplomatic mission of the Republic of the Philippines to the Federal Republic of Germany. First opened in 1955 as the mission to West Germany, it is currently located in the Mitte locality of central Berlin, just beyond the periphery of the Reichstag complex and near the Charité.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Embassy of the Philippines, The Hague</span> Diplomatic mission of the Philippines in the Netherlands

The Embassy of the Philippines in The Hague is the diplomatic mission of the Republic of the Philippines to the Kingdom of the Netherlands. First opened in 1959, it is located in the Archipelbuurt neighborhood of The Hague's city center, where it has been since 1968.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Embassy of the Philippines, Rome</span> Diplomatic mission of the Philippines in Italy

The Embassy of the Philippines in Rome is the diplomatic mission of the Republic of the Philippines to the Italian Republic. First opened in 1947, it is currently located along the Via Aurelia in the quarter (quartiere) of Aurelio, part of Municipio XIII in western Rome, just west of Vatican City.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Embassy of the Philippines, Paris</span> Diplomatic mission of the Philippines in France

The embassy of the Philippines in Paris is the diplomatic mission of the Philippines to France.

References

  1. ↑ Gomes, Robin (April 9, 2021). "Holy See, Philippines mark 70 years of diplomatic relations". Vatican News . Retrieved October 26, 2021.
  2. ↑ "Official Month in Review: June 1949". Official Gazette . Retrieved October 26, 2021. PRELIMINARY discussions on the advisability of sending a diplomatic representative to the Vatican were taken up during the Cabinet meeting on June 24.
  3. ↑ "Executive Order No. 397, s. 1951". Official Gazette . January 5, 1951. Retrieved October 25, 2021.
  4. ↑ Sabillo, Kristine Angeli (January 15, 2015). "The pope and Vatican City, the smallest independent state". Philippine Daily Inquirer . Retrieved October 26, 2021.
  5. ↑ "Former Ambassadors". Embassy of the Philippines, Madrid. Retrieved October 26, 2021.
  6. 1 2 "No Funds For Vatican Embassy In Philippines". The Catholic Northwest Promise. June 17, 1955. Retrieved October 26, 2021– via the Washington State Library.
  7. 1 2 "Ambassador To Vatican Named By Philippines". The Catholic Northwest Promise. July 19, 1957. Retrieved October 26, 2021– via the Washington State Library.
  8. ↑ "Official Month in Review: February 15 – February 28, 1957". Official Gazette . Retrieved October 26, 2021. During the press conference, the President also [...] Revealed he was considering the appointment "shortly" of a Philippine ambassador to the Vatican, mentioning former Ambassador Manuel V. Moran, Dr. Jose Delgado, Dr. Manuel Lim, and Sen. Jose C. Locsin as among the contenders for the post.
  9. ↑ "Official Month in Review: August 1 – August 15, 1957". Official Gazette . Retrieved October 26, 2021. THIS morning the President gave a despedida breakfast in honor of the Philippine Ambassador to the Vatican, Jose Ma. Delgado, who is scheduled to leave for his post on Friday, August 16.
  10. ↑ ACTION: CONFIRMED – Appointment From July 27, 2020 To June 3, 2021 (PDF) (Report). Commission on Appointments. p. 3. Retrieved October 19, 2021.
  11. 1 2 Ramos, Christia Marie (June 2, 2021). "CA confirms PH envoys to the Holy See, Egypt, 14 DFA officers". Philippine Daily Inquirer . Retrieved October 26, 2021.
  12. ↑ Ramos, Christia Marie (April 16, 2009). "Ties with FG had nothing to do with appointment - RP envoy". GMA News and Public Affairs . Retrieved October 26, 2021.
  13. 1 2 3 Mercene, Recto (April 4, 2015). "Mango diplomacy". BusinessMirror . Retrieved October 26, 2021.
  14. ↑ Lee-Brago, Pia (November 13, 2008). "RP envoy presents credentials to Pope". The Philippine Star . Retrieved October 26, 2021.
  15. ↑ "Philippines Has New Ambassador to Holy See". Exaudi Catholic News. June 4, 2021. Retrieved October 26, 2021.
  16. ↑ Orbos, Jerry M. (June 3, 2018). "Real and alive". Philippine Daily Inquirer . Retrieved October 26, 2021.
  17. 1 2 3 Ibayan, Danilo T. (July 20, 2019). "The Vatican: Very small but powerful". The Manila Times . Retrieved October 26, 2021.
  18. ↑ Darang, Josephine (January 20, 2013). "Philippine 'belen' at St. Peter's Square cited in European book; UST Varsitarian anniversary bash to pay tribute to alumni in church service". Philippine Daily Inquirer . Retrieved October 26, 2021.
  19. ↑ Luci-Atienza, Charissa; Cahiles-Magkilat, Bernie (July 9, 2019). "Cultural diplomacy: Pundaquit Virtuosi". Manila Bulletin . Retrieved October 26, 2021.
  20. ↑ Malasig, Jeline (January 16, 2019). "The sun is always shining on a Jose Rizal monument in the world". TV5 News and Information . Retrieved October 26, 2021.
  21. ↑ Ibayan, Danilo T. (June 23, 2018). "The other sovereign Malta". The Manila Times . Retrieved October 26, 2021.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.