Anda, Pangasinan native appointed Texas bishop

By Christian Crow Maghanoy

FOR the first time since its establishment in 1914, a Filipino has been appointed by Pope Francis as the auxiliary bishop of the Diocese of El Paso in Texas, USA, the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Manila said on Sunday.
    A native of Anda in Pangasinan, Bishop-elect Anthony "Tony" Celino, Licentiate in Canon Law or JCL, was appointed by the Vatican on Feb. 8, 2023.
    In a statement late Sunday, The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Manila said Celino is set to be officially proclaimed through an episcopal ordination at El Paso's St. Patrick Cathedral on March 31, 2023.
    The new Filipino immigrant prelate becomes the third of Filipino descent elected as a bishop in the US, following Bishop Oscar Solis of Salt Lake City and Bishop Alejandro Aclan of Los Angeles City.
    Celino will remain in his current position as Judicial Vicar of El Paso and Pastor of St. Raphel's Parish until later in the spring.
    Meanwhile, El Paso Bishop Mark Seitz expressed his gratitude to Pope Francis for showing his attention and care to his diocese by appointing Bishop-elect Celino, who is known for making "substantive contributions to the local church's life."
    "He brings a unique experience as a Filipino immigrant serving our border community as a priest for the past twenty-five years, a steadfast dedication to pastoral ministry, and fidelity to the Gospel," Seitz said.
    The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Manila said that Celino had attended high school and college at Mary Help of Christians Seminary in Dagupan City in 1993 where he earned his Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and graduated his master's in Divinity and Sacred Theology at the University of St. Mary of the Lake and Mundelein Seminary in Illinois in 1997.
    Upon his priestly ordination in 1997, he was assigned as parochial vicar at St. Patrick Cathedral and Our Lady of Peace in Alphine, and became pastor of St. John Paul 2nd Parish, formerly Santa Lucia Parish.
    He also served as the diocese's vicar general, moderator curiae and chancellor, and appointed as delegate of the Apostolic Administrator to El Paso during sede vacante from December 2011 to July 2013.
    The Mary Help of Christians High School Seminary, on the other hand, congratulated the election of its "distinguished alumnus to the Order of Bishops."
    It prayed that Celino's appointment to the Diocese of El Paso, Texas, particularly his assignment in the titular see of Maronana, will come to success in his new ministry as bishop.
    "We pray that our seminarian-sons may soon become good and holy priests themselves. We pray for more vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life," it said. "Mary Help of Christians, pray for us!"
    It likewise added that Monsignor Celino was born on April 29, 1972 in Anda, Pangasinan to the late Mines (Cerdan) and Tedolodo Celino where the bishop-elect was the youngest of seven children. He was subsequently awarded a licentiate in canon law at the Catholic University of America in Washington.
    Celino's appointment was announced by The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Manila day after the Diocese of El Paso publicized the passing of its priest, Fr. Fulgenion Mayorga, SJ.
    In a separate statement, the Diocese of El Paso expressed its grievances for the passing of their resident priest who they claimed had served the Diocese for five years.
    The Diocese of El Paso stressed that Mayorga had served many places as a member of the Society of Jesus. His native country was Nicaragua. He chose El Paso to complete his priestly ministry.
    "Health issues limited his ability to serve, but not his desire. The Lord has called him home having fulfilled his mission and we are grateful for his service in our local church," the statement read.
    "Funeral plans are under the direction of his sister and we will share that information as soon as they become available," it added. "May the soul of Fr. Fulgencio Mayorga, and the souls of all the faithful departed, rest in the mercy of God."
    Celino's appointment was first publicized in Washington D.C. on Feb. 8, 2023 by Archbishop Christophe Pierre, apostolic nuncio to the US.