Fr. John Buenaventura, Fr. Joseph Quicho, and Fr. Jesus Navoa. Photo courtesy of CBCP News
BALANGA CITY — Bishop Ruperto C. Santos of the Diocese of Balanga on Wednesday announced the appointment by Pope Francis of the first three priests from Bataan as missionaries of mercy.
The newly-named priests to the Catholic Church’s roster of missionaries of mercy are Fr. Jhoen Buenaventura, Fr. Joseph Quicho, and Fr. Jesus Navoa, all from the Diocese of Balanga.
Buenaventura is parish priest of Santa Gemma Church in Barangay Mountain View in Mariveles, Quicho is spiritual director of Our Virgen Milagrosa Del Rosario College Seminary in Balanga City, and Navoa is parish priest of Holy Family in Balsik, Hermosa.
“We are very grateful and this is for the good of all. It is a grace from God and a gift of the Pope to the diocese and the Philippine church in general,” Santos said.
The Bataan prelate is also Divine Mercy Episcopal Coordinator for Asia.
He said that the pope has selected priests from every continent to act as his special ambassadors of mercy in the world. The appointed priests are given the faculties to absolve certain sins reserved to the Holy See.
The three Bataan priests were named to the post with two other priests from Bulacan.
The missionaries are tasked to preach, lead spiritual retreats, and hear confessions in their respective dioceses and may be invited by bishops to other dioceses as well.
