Pope names 3 new Missionaries of Mercy from the Philippines

Pope Francis has appointed three Filipino priests to be new Missionaries of Mercy

Through the approval of Pope Francis, Fr. Rogelio Maynardo T. Beredo Jr., Fr. Jesse Lucas A. Balilla, and Fr. Donaldo V. Dimaandal of the Archdiocese of Lipa, Batangas will be part of the mission of spreading God's mercy and forgiveness as the new Missionaries of Mercy.

They have a special function in the church, especially through the Sacrament of Confession. They can forgive sins usually reserved only to the pope. Their conduct shows extraordinary emphasis on God's mercy.

Designating them as Missionaries of Mercy is a tremendous honor and a mission that will bring grace, forgiveness, and reconciliation to our communities.

In a pastoral letter dated March 17, 2025, Archbishop Gilbert A. Garcera of Lipa said the new Missionaries of Mercy will carry out the special mission entrusted to them by the Holy Father—to be living signs of God’s forgiveness, compassion, and love.

They will join in this delicate ministry led by Msgr. Conrado G. Castillo, Msgr. Antonio C. Mendoza, and Fr. Angel Marcelo M. Pastor, who were appointed Missionaries of Mercy by Pope Francis in 2022.

The Apostolic See reserves the right to censure these priests for the following sins:

1. The profanation of the Eucharistic species by taking them away or keeping them for a sacrilegious purpose (can. 1382);

2. Physical violence against the Roman Pontiff (can. 1370);

3. The absolution of an accomplice in a sin against the Sixth Commandment of the Decalogue (can. 1384);

4. The direct violation of the sacramental seal by the confessor (can. 1456);

5. The recording and/or dissemination through means of social communication of the content of a sacramental confession, whether true or simulated, is defined in canon 1386.

Referring to what the Holy Father had said, the prelate asked them to "welcome everyone, show fatherly kindness no matter how bad the sin, be careful to help penitents think about what they had done, be clear about moral principles, be willing to walk patiently with the faithful on their journey of penance, be farsighted in judging each case, and generous in giving God's forgiveness" (Misericordia et Misera, 10).

“As we celebrate the Jubilee Year, may we find hope in the merciful love of God through the intercession of Our Lady of Caysasay, Our Queen and Mother of Mercy, and St. Joseph, the patron saint of Our Archdiocese,” Garcera said.