by Joel V. Ocampo
On November 7, 2024, the Holy Father Pope Francis appointed Rev. Msgr. Erwin José Aserios Balagapo, a priest from the Archdiocese of Palo in Leyte, as the new Undersecretary of the Section for First Evangelization and New Particular Churches in the Vatican’s Dicastery for Evangelization, an office he currently heads.
According to the records of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Palo, Msgr. Balagapo was born on March 8, 1971 in Tacloban City. He received his Ordination to the Sacred Order of Presbyters on July 12, 1996, a priest for the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Palo.
He studied for a Licentiate in Canon Law at the University of Navarra, Spain (1996-1998), and pursued a Doctorate in Canon Law at the Pontificia Università della Santa Croce (Pontifical University of the Holy Cross) in Rome (1998-2001). He also completed the Rotal Study at the Tribunal of the Roman Rota (2011-2014) and obtained a Licentiate in Moral Theology from the former Pontifical Institute “John Paul II” (2011-2013).
As a priest who studied Canon law, Msgr. Balagapo was also professor of Canon Law, judicial vicar, responsible for the ongoing formation of the clergy, chancellor, and member of the College of Consultors (2001-2011).
As one of the Palo Clergy serving outside the Archdiocese of Palo, Msgr. Balagapo served as an official of the then Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples in 2015. Then in July 2023, he was appointed head of office of the Section for the First Evangelization and the New Particular Churches of the Dicastery for Evangelization.
At present, the officials of the Section for the First Evangelization and New Particular Churches are as follow:
H.Em. Cardinal Luis Antonio G. Tagle, Pro-Prefect
H.E. Archbishop Fortunatus Nwachukwu, Secretary
H.E. Archbishop Emilio Nappa, Adjunct secretary with the office of President of the Pontifical Mission Societies (PP.OO.MM.)
Rev. Msgr. Samuele Sangalli, Adjunct secretary with the role of head of the administration of the Dicastery
Rev. Msgr. Erwin José Aserios Balagapo, Undersecretary
Msgr. Han (Agostino) Hyuntaek, Head Office
Msgr. Sergio Bertocchi, Head Office
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