Pope names administrator for Jolo
Fr. Romeo Saniel, the newly appointed Apostolic Administrator of Jolo. PHOTO COURTESY OF OMI
By CBCP News
January 8, 2019
Manila, Philippines
Father Romeo Saniel of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate (OMI) has been named as apostolic administrator of the Vicariate of Jolo in southern Philippines.
OMI-run NDBC News announced on Jan. 5 that Pope Francis appointed Saniel, currently president of Notre Dame of Jolo College, to the post.
The Vatican officially made the appointment last Dec. 15 but it was only made public in the Philippines last week.
The appointment also came about a month after former Jolo Bishop Angelito Lampon, OMI, was appointed as Cotabato archbishop.
“I thank the Holy Father for the trust given to me to continue the good work that the Oblates have started here in the vicariate,” Saniel said.
As apostolic administrator, Saniel will have oversight power of a local bishop until a new bishop is named.
The priest said building bridges among Jolo’s diverse cultures of faith has been paramount to his mission.
“I will continue promoting social development through housing, livelihood, cooperatives, and health care projects which to this date contribute to peaceful coexistence between Muslim and Christian communities,” he said.
Fr. Saniel is also a trustee of the Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines for the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.
He will be installed as administrator of Jolo on January 30.
