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New bishop for military, police ready to begin ministry

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ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2019/news/03/05/20190305-bishop-oscar-jaime-florencio.jpg"/><figcaption>Pope Francis has appointed Bishop Oscar Jaime Florencio as the new head of the Military Ordinariate of the Philippines. Photo from CBCP News</figcaption></figure></div> MANILA - The new bishop for the Military Ordinariate of the Philippines sees his new appointment as an opportunity to energize priests who are serving the country&#x27;s law enforcement agencies. Bishop Oscar Jaime Florencio said it is important to have a &quot;shepherd&quot; for the chaplains who provide pastoral care to Catholics who are working in the country&#x27;s military and police force. &quot;This is very significant dahil (because) it can boost the morale of the chaplains na mayroon silang (that they have a) bishop and shepherd,&quot; Florencio said in an interview with Radio Veritas. It has been nearly two years since the Military Ordinariate of the Philippines lost its bishop with the passing of Bishop Leopoldo Tumulak in June 2017. Florencio added that his appointment was also timely since the Church is about to begin its solemn observance of Lent. &quot;It is significant also because during this Lenten season dahil dito po ang renewal of vows ng mga (this is the time for the renewal of vows of the) chaplain on their commitments and they will have to renew that with their new bishop,&quot; he added. The newly-appointed bishop also stressed the need for the faithful, especially those who are in law enforcement, to take their time to reflect during Lent. &quot;I think it will be good also to consider na ang ating mundo, ang ating lipunan ngayon (our world, our society now), actually needs some time going deeper into one’s self-introspection, so that whatever we do ito ay bunga ng ating pananampalataya (is because of our faith),&quot; he said. Before his appointment to the ordinariate, Florencio served as Cebu&#x27;s auxiliary bishop. The prelate is not really new to his job, having served as the military diocese&#x27;s apostolic administrator since 2017. Aside from serving Catholics who are in the military and police, the bishop of the Military Ordinariate is also responsible for the pastoral care of those in the coast guard units and prison service.

The new bishop for the Military Ordinariate of the Philippines sees his new appointment as an opportunity to energize the priests who are serving the country's law enforcement agencies.

The new bishop for the Military Ordinariate of the Philippines sees his new appointment as an opportunity to energize the priests who are serving the country's law enforcement agencies.