Pope names 3rd Pinoy auxiliary...

currently the pastor of St. Raphael Parish and judicial vicar of El Paso, will be the diocese’s first auxiliary bishop since its establishment in 1914.

El Paso Bishop Mark Seitz expressed his gratitude to Pope Francis for appointing Celino to the diocese.

“He brings a unique experience as a Filipino immigrant serving our border community as a priest for the past 25 years, a steadfast dedication to pastoral ministry, and fidelity to the Gospel,” Seitz said of Celino.

Born in Anda, Pangasinan, Celino finished his studies in Philosophy at the Mary Help of Christians Seminary in Dagupan City in 1993.

He migrated to El Paso and pursued his theology studies at the University of Saint Mary of the Lake in Mundelein, Illinois, leading to his ordination as a priest in 1997.

The bishop-elect’s episcopal ordination will be on March 31 at the St. Patrick Cathedral in El Paso, Texas.

Earlier, the pope had appointed fellow FilipinoAmerican Bishops Oscar Solis in Salt Lake City and Auxiliary Bishop Alejandro Aclan in Los Angeles. n