Fr. Efren Esmilla, a priest from Nagcarlan in Laguna, has been named auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.
In a statement released on Saturday, Dec. 9, the 61-year-old joined priests Keith Chylinski and Christopher Cooke, who are auxiliary bishops serving the archdiocese’s approximately 1.5 million Catholics, according to the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP).
It said he will join Archbishop Nelson Perez and Auxiliary Bishop John McIntyre, who have served in that capacity since 2010.
Meanwhile, in a statement on Friday, Dec. 8, Esmilla said he was “greatly humbled and honored” by the appointment.
He then asked for the prayers of the clergy, religious, and lay faithful of the archdiocese.
“I ask all of the clergy, men, and women religious, and lay faithful of our beloved local church to pray for me while knowing that I will pray for all of you so that I can see how to serve you best,” he said.
“My great hope is that our beloved Archdiocese of Philadelphia will continue to grow spiritually and in the number of souls as we all strive to be better missionary disciples for Jesus Christ in the world around us,” he added.
On the other hand, Archbishop Perez praised their deep faith, humility, pastoral and administrative experience, and zealous heart for serving as missionary disciples of Jesus Christ.
“I’ve known all of them for many years and have witnessed the transformational impact of their priestly ministry on a diverse array of people everywhere they have served,” he said.
Fourth Filipino Bishop in the US
Esmilla’s appointment marks the fourth time a Filipino priest has been appointed bishop in the United States.
Bishop Oscar Solis of Salt Lake City, Auxiliary Bishop Alejandro Aclan of Los Angeles, and Auxiliary Bishop Anthony Celino of El Paso-Texas are the other Filipino-American bishops currently serving in the country.
Esmilla’s background
CBCP added that Esmilla had served in the Philadelphia archdiocese since his ordination in 1993.
He previously served as parochial vicar at St. John Chrysostom in Wallingford, Pennsylvania, and at the Maternity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Philadelphia.
He also served as assistant director of pastoral formation at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary.
Since 2021, he has served as the pastor of St. James in Elkins Park, Pennsylvania. According to the parish’s website, Esmilla has also been the chaplain to the Filipino Apostolate and the spiritual director to the Legion of Mary.