FAREWELL, ARCHBISHOP FRANCO:
Our pastor and friend

(Homily of Cardinal-elect Gaudencio B. Rosales, Archbishop of Manila, at the Farewell Mass for the Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Antonio Franco at the Manila Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception on February 24, 2006.)

Two things characterized the Lord’s ministry: we were told that He went around teaching; doing what is good, he did everything well and when the teachings had to be extended to other hearers, he sent out his disciples to reach out to them. Sending disciples is much more than amplifying his instructions; when Jesus sent his disciples he actually extended His presence through others.

"Anyone who welcomes you welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me” Jesus said. (Matthew 10:40). The poor are special emissaries of Jesus to us and their welcome is always equated with acceptance of Jesus the Christ. “In truth I tell you, in so far as you did this to one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did it to me.” (Matthew 25:40).

But being sent as the representative of the Head of the Universal Church to a local Church is different from being sent to a person. The Apostolic Nuncio, as the ambassador of the Holy See, is sent and accredited to the Government of the Philippine; but he also represents the Holy Father to the Episcopate in the Philippines. The fruitfulness of such a role is not so much n the balance between the two tasks of representations, but in the correct application of interest to both tasks.

All things equal, the needs of the Church stand as primary in the evaluation of any Apostolic Nuncio, even if diplomatic expression may not immediately say so. And it is here where I will have to pick up the gleanings from Episcopal, clerical and religious chatter regarding our Holy Father’s representative to us.

His Excellency Archbishop Antonio Franco’s tour of duty or better still, his ministry as the Holy Father’s representative to the Catholic Church in the Philippines has been characterized by two words: pastoral and fraternal.

Pastoral. Within nearly seven years the Apostolic Nuncio traveled and visited the Arch/bishops in their Ecclesiastical jurisdictions in the Philippines, consulted many Praesbyteria in person, talked with the religious in the pastoral field. He had facilitated the appointment of 31 Bishops. Over and above these he acceded to invitations again and again, leaving the signs of tiredness, to preside in countless religious and anniversary celebrations of dioceses and even of individual bishops. Relentless – a picture of a good picture who is also a model pastor. He joined the Bishops in visiting seminaries, parishes and apostolic vicariates missions.

Fraternal. A brother. Aside from visits made in the dioceses, Bishops conversed, talked and shared with him and were helped and further encouraged in trying and difficult moments in running and administering the dioceses caress. He dialogue, listened, corrected, and even suggested change in whatever needed to be changed in conduct and mission – direction in one’s shepherding. In all this, he acted unfailingly as a brother, and even in difficult moments always remained a friend.

He will be missed, but when friends part ways there always are gems of friendship they mutually take from each other to make the friendship and brotherhood to grow and to last longer and ever!

From the Philippines, Archbishop Antonio Franco will proceed to Israel and Cyprus to take up an even more sensitive and delicate post of Apostolic Nuncio in countries that deep within long for friendship and trust, and yet have failed to foster deep union and cooperation among them in peace. Every time you switch on CNN and BBC, the countries, the Nuncio will served are always mentioned. Maybe we will remember him when we watch the television. What he has achieved here for us and with us, will, after March 01, remain but memories. But memories of the past, have a way of building up the future. (What a mystery memory is.) What you will remember of Archbishop Antonio Franco will remain with us. But what Archbishop Franco recalls of us as a people with our own ways will probably leave a very light hue to his view of new ministry in the Near East.

While thanking Your Excellency for everything you have been to the Church in the Philippines, here at Manila Cathedral you are assured of our pleasant memories with you as our brother and friend, and we wish you the Lord’s Blessings as you go even as we ask your prayers for our country in its seemingly endless search for truth, unity, justice, peace and honesty.

Maligayang Paglalakbay.

Buon Viaggio!

+G.B.Rosales
Archbishop of Manila

Manila Cathedral
24 February 2006