Manila, Philippines, Nov 5, 2007 / 10:06 am
Archbishop Edward Joseph Adams arrived in the Philippines Thursday and assured the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines that he would do "anything for the good of the country," GMANews.tv reports.
The new papal nuncio was greeted by a delegation at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. Holding a closed-door meeting at the airport's presidential lounge after the welcoming ceremonies, he met with Cardinal Gaudenciao Rosales, Archbishop of Manila, and seven other prelates.
Describing the new nuncio's remarks, Caloocan Bishop Deogracias Iñiguez related that "He said he is ready for the challenges that his new assignment would entail." Iñiguez added that Adams is "so excited to be in the Philippines."
Archbishop Adams, who studied for the diplomatic service at the Vatican in 1976, was until recently the Holy See's ambassador to Zimbabwe for five years. He has also served in Denmark, the Czech Republic, Kenya, Rwanda, Honduras, Ireland, and several other countries.
He replaces Italian Archbishop Fernando Filoni, who was appointed as the Substitute for the General Affairs of the Secretariat State.