MANILA, April 16, 2009- The appointment of businesswoman and civic leader Ma. Mercedes "Mercy" Reinares Arrastia-Tuason to the position of Philippine Ambassador to the Holy See was not a surprise at all for some Catholic Church leaders.
Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) President and Jaro Archbishop Lagdameo said he was informed of the appointment two weeks ago by the Apostolic Nunciature in Manila.
"I thought before the appointment saw print, I would receive some sort of official notice from the Nunciature," he said. However, he added it is probable the official notice is forthcoming.
Asked if he was surprised of Ambassador Christian Ponce-Enrile's resignation from the coveted post, Lagdameo said he was not because "even before, I was already told she was quite sickly in Rome."
Referring to Tuason, Lagdameo said he had the occasion to meet her several times in a number of public events "not knowing her coming appointment."
"Having been told of her appointment two weeks ago, I instructed my secretary to scan the internet and find out more information about her background," he added.
He said he was "pleasantly surprised" to find out her exposure to Catholic church programs which include her being part of the Top 100 Graduates of St. Scholastica's College in Manila, a Pax Awardee from St. Scholastica's College for 2009 along with CBCP Office of Women Executive Secretary Dr. Zenaida Rotea, MD.
"She in involved in activities recognized by the Catholic Church including the Center for Peace, Bigay Puso Foundation, Gawad Kalinga and her induction to the prestigious Dame of the Order of Malta and Pro-Life Philippines," the prelate said. The Order of Malta provides care for the sick, medical services for the poor and distributes relief goods to disaster-stricken areas.
Tuason is also active with the Missionaries of the Child Jesus of Malacanang Palace.
He described the new Philippine envoy to the Vatican as one with many apostolates in the Church including Our Lady of Mercy Halfway House, Friends of Elsie Gatches, Philippine National Red Cross and Tuason Community Center.
Ambassador-designate Tuason will replace Ambassador Christina Castener Ponce-Enrile who presented her credentials to Pope Benedict XVI last October 27, 2008.
A check with the Philippine Embassy in Rome revealed Ambassador Ponce-Enrile's term is the shortest of the country's 14 envoys to the Vatican since diplomatic relations between the Holy See and the Philippines was established in June 4, 1951.
The same diplomatic sources at the Vatican said the country's first Ambassador to the Holy See, Ambassador Manuel Moran, presented his credentials to then Pope Pius XII on June 6, 1951.
The country has accredited nine Apostolic Nuncios to the Philippines since 1951, the latest of whom is Archbishop Edward Joseph Adams. There were seven Apostolic Delegates to the Philippines since 1900, some five decades before the establishment of full diplomatic relations between the Holy See and the Philippine government.
Former Philippine Ambassador to the Vatican Henrietta De Villa said the new envoy-designate is a "nice person."
"I know she's involved in several apostolates including that of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta," she said.
Meanwhile, Sr. Mary John Mananzan, OSB, co-chairperson of the Association of Major Religious Superiors in the Philippines also welcomed the appointment of Tuason.
Asked if she knew the latest Malacanang envoy-designate to the Holy See, Sr. Mary John said "as far as I know she's a good person that's why we awarded her during the latest graduation ceremonies at St. Scholastica's College last March 22, 2009."