Canberra (04 February 2020) – Her Excellency Ma. Hellen B. De La Vega, Philippine Ambassador to Australia, met with The Most Rev Christopher Prowse, the Catholic Archbishop of Canberra and Goulburn at St. Christopher’s Pastoral Centre in Canberra on 30 January 2020.

Archbishop Prowse expressed to Ambassador De La Vega his high praise for the Filipinos he has encountered throughout his work and described them as deeply religious and very helpful in pastoral work and church services.

Ambassador De La Vega thanked the Archbishop for agreeing to her proposal for him to officiate and host the Holy Mass at the St. Christopher’s Cathedral in Yarralumla in March next year marking the Philippines’ Quincentennial Commemorations, which includes celebration of the 500th year of the advent of Christianity in the country.

A special mass for the Filipino community in Canberra is held at the St. Peter Chanel’s Church, incorporated as part of St. Christopher’s Cathedral, during the first Sunday of every other month. This tradition was initiated with the support of the Philippine Embassy and Archbishop Prowse.

The Cathedral is the largest church in Australia’s national capital and the premier church of the Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn. END