Pope Francis names Manila priest as envoy to Rwanda

Pope Francis has appointed Monsignor Arnaldo Catalan as the brand new apostolic nuncio to Rwanda.

The appointment was made public Monday, Jan. 31 and revealed by the Holy See Press Workplace.

Msgr. Catalan succeeded Archbishop Andrzej Józwowicz who was transferred to Iran in June 2021.

In appointing Catalan as a Vatican envoy, the pope additionally elevated him to the titular See of Apollonia, with the dignity of Archbishop.

A priest of the Archdiocese of Manila, the archbishop-elect was ordained to the priesthood in March 1994.

At 55, he’s the primary priest of the archdiocese to grow to be a nuncio.

Cardinal Jose Advincula of Manila thanked the pope for the appointment, which he described as a “reward and honor” for the archdiocese.

He additionally assured Catalan, who has been serving because the Chargé d’affaires of the diplomatic mission of the Holy See in China (Taiwan) since 2019, of his help and prayers as he takes on his new mission.

Catalan joined the Holy See Diplomatic Service in July 2001. Since then, he has served within the Apostolic Nunciatures in Zambia, Kuwait, Mexico, Honduras, Turkey, India, Argentina, Canada, and the Philippines.

The main points of his episcopal ordination are but to be introduced.