Northern Samar: Northern Samar Governor Edwin Ongchuan said the visit of Papal Nuncio to the Philippines, Archbishop Charles John Brown, to the province symbolizes the enduring connection between the Vatican and Northern Samar. “The visit of His Excellency Charles John Brown symbolizes the enduring bond between the Vatican and the people of Northern Samar, a relationship rooted in a remarkable history of shared faith, mutual respect, and a commitment to serving humanity,” Ongchuan said in a statement issued Thursday.

According to Philippines News Agency, the governor stated that the visit highlights the bond between the Vatican and Northern Samar, driven by faith, mutual respect, and a strong commitment to lend service to the people. “May this inspire everyone to deepen our sense of service and work together to create a brighter future for our province and country,” he added.

Archbishop Brown was in Northern Samar on Jan. 15 to preside over the installation of Bishop Nolly Buco as the third resident bishop for the Diocese of Catarman. The installation came after he was appointed by Pope Francis in October 2024 as the church leader in Northern Samar province. Prior to Bishop Buco’s appointment as the Bishop of Catarman, he was first appointed as Auxiliary Bishop of the diocese in December 2023.

During his visit, Brown underscored the importance of collaboration and partnership between the church and the government during his visit in Northern Samar. “The government is not the same as the church. The church is not the same as the government. We have different functions, don’t we? But, and this is the important thing, when we work together,” Brown told local government officials and leaders of the Roman Catholic Church in a gathering here Thursday.

The papal nuncio said that despite the differences in functions between the church and the state, when the two sides work together, they can create good results that will have a positive impact on the people. The provincial government extended its felicitations to Archbishop Brown through Sangguniang Panglalawigan Resolution No. 591, considering his presence on significant events in Northern Samar as a testament to the strong partnership between civil and ecclesiastical institutions, inspiring unity, collaboration and teamwork.