Archdiocese of Philadelphia welcomes its first Filipino bishop

LOS ANGELES — The Archdiocese of Philadelphia has welcomed Bishop-designate Efren V. Esmilla and two other prelates, who were recently appointed by Pope Francis as auxiliary bishops of Philadelphia.

Philadelphia Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez announced at a press conference on Friday that  the episcopal ordination of Esmilla and Bishops-designate Keith J. Chylinski and Christopher R. Cooke will take place on March 7, 2024 at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul.

Archbishop Perez said that upon receiving the news of the appointments from Cardinal Christophe Pierre, apostolic nuncio to the United States, he felt that “everything that I hoped for was being granted…What an incredible joy.”

He described the new appointees as “men of great faith, of great humility, of deep pastoral and administrative experience.”

Esmilla admits that when he first learned about his appointment, he felt nervous and had “a little bit of fear” in his heart. “But deep within me, I kept saying, ‘Jesus, I trust in you,’” he says. Photo from the Archdiocese of Philadelphia

Esmilla, born in 1962 in Nagcarlan, Laguna, completed his undergraduate studies at San Beda College in Manila.

Esmilla received his master’s in divinity from St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in 1992 and was ordained as a priest in 1993.

He has served as chaplain of the Filipino apostolate in the Archdiocese since 2005, and as spiritual director of the Legion of Mary since 2001. He has served on the archdiocesan council of priests and priest personnel board, and was president of the presbyteral council in 2021.

Since 2020, he has served as pastor of two parishes. He speaks English, Spanish, Tagalog, Latin and Portuguese.

‘My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord’

“On this great solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, I find inspiration in our Blessed Mother and echo the words found in her Magnificat: ‘My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord.” Esmilla said at the press conference.  “My spirit rejoices in God, my Savior, for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant.’”

The Archdiocese of Philadelphia welcomes (From left) Bishops-designate Keith J. Chylinski, Christopher R. Cooke and Efren V. Esmilla. Photo from the Archdiocese of Philadelphia

Esmilla admitted that when he learned about his appointment, he “felt nervous and had a little bit of fear in (his) heart.”

“But deep within me, I kept saying, ‘Jesus, I trust in you,’” he said. “I have come to serve.”

Speaking in Tagalog, Esmilla thanked the members of the Veridiano and Esmilla families, especially his siblings and his late parents, Cristobal and Crispina.

Bishop-designate Efren V. Esmilla (center) receives a warm welcome from several Filipino Americans, who joined the Mass that followed the press conference. Next to Esmilla (to his right) is Philadelphia Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez.

Following the news conference, the Archbishop concelebrated Mass with the bishops-designate honoring the feast of the Immaculate Conception at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul.

Watch the press conference: