Chuuk Catholic Community of Pohnpei highbeams 30 years of priesthood, Fr. Julio Angkel

Fr. Julio Angkel, Vicar of Pohnpei

FSMIS (December 2, 2013): On November 30, Federated States of Micronesia President Manny Mori joined the Chuuk Catholic Community of Pohnpei at the Our Lady of Mercy Church and later at the Pohnpei Catholic School campus, Kolonia, congratulating and expressing gratitude to Fr. Julio Angkel, Vicar of the Pohnpei-Kosrae Vicariate, for the past thirty years of dedicated service as a priest in Micronesia.  

Fr. Angkel was ordained a priest on December 3, 1983 at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Cathedral in Chuuk by Bishop Martin J. Neylon, S.J. Since then, Fr. Angkel has served in various pastoral posts and held directorship role in the Diocese of the Caroline Islands, serving mostly out of Chuuk. In August, 2010, he got appointed by Bishop Amando Samo as the Vicar of the Catholic Vicariate of Pohnpei and Kosrae, taking up residency in Kolonia along with Fr. Dave Andrus, S.J.

At the gathering on November 30, President Mori delivered the keynote address in which he commended Fr. Angkel for his dedicated service to the people of Micronesia through various Church ministries. He also extended his appreciation on behalf of the Government and people of the FSM to the Diocese of the Caroline Islands for the vital role it has exercised as a partner in strengthening the socio-economic development of the FSM. Before closing, he encouraged the youth to learn from Fr. Angkel and the other leaders who forgo their own homes and families in order to pursue their vocations in the Church and helped fostering a resilient people through prayer and difficult works.

In a short remark concluding the meeting, Fr. Angkel showed deep gratitude to President Mori for making the time to be part of the gathering and for his words of encouragement to the Church and the youth. He thanked to the many people who turned up for the mass of thanksgiving and organized the celebration that followed.

Deacon Edwin from Kolonia Parish assisted at the mass and, along with the leadership of the Pohnpei Catholic School, helped accommodate the festive Pearl Jubilee Commemoration for Fr. Angkel.

 

Youth choir from Palikir doing a number during the celebration as other groups await their turns at the classroom facilities, Pohnpei Catholic School, Kolonia.

Born on April 12, 1954 on Parem Island in Chuuk, Fr. Julio Angkel eventually became the 6^th Micronesian ordained into priesthood after the late Fr. Paulino Cantero (Pohnpei), the late Felix Yaoch (Palau), Fr. Nick Rahoy and the late Fr. Apollo Thall (Yap) and Fr. Amando Samo (now Bishop, Chuuk).