3 Borongan diocese priests appointed as ‘papal chaplains’

Three priests of the Diocese of Borongan in Eastern Samar were appointed by Pope Francis as “Chaplains to His Holiness."

The new papal chaplains were monsignors Lope Robredillo, Eutiquio “Euly” Belizar, Jr., and Romeo Solidon, the diocese announced on Friday.

Robredillo is the diocese’s Vicar General and chairman of two diocesan commissions: Liturgy and Cultural Heritage of the Church, according to the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP).

He is also the parish priest at St. Nicholas of Tolentino Parish in Quinapondan town.

Belizar, who is currently on sabbatical leave, heads the diocese’s Commission on Doctrine of the Faith.

Solidon is a team ministry member of the Cathedral Parish of the Nativity of Our Lady.

The CBCP said monsignor is a title bestowed on a diocesan priest who had many years of exceptional service to the church or has provided a specialized function in church governance.

It, however, noted that it is an honorary title and does not affect the priest’s duties or ministerial assignment.

“In scaling back honorific positions within the Catholic Church in 2014, Pope Francis retained the category of ‘Chaplain to His Holiness’ for any and all new nominated recipients,” the CBCP said.

“In keeping with the pope’s reforms, a ‘Chaplain to His Holiness’ is only granted to a diocesan priest who is over 65 years of age,” it added. —Richa Noriega/VBL, GMA News