Pope Francis appoints two local priests as Missionaries of Mercy

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Bishop Felipe Estévez of the Catholic Diocese of St. Augustine recently announced that the Rev. Bernardine Eikhuemelo and the Rev. Richard Pagano have been named Missionaries of Mercy by Pope Francis.

The pope called, from Dec. 8, 2015-Nov. 20, 2016, an Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy to direct attention and actions “on mercy so that we may become a more effective sign of the Father’s actions in our lives.” This year, Pope Francis has extended the mandate of the Missionaries of Mercy until further notice as a sign that the graces of the Jubilee of Mercy continue.

“Our culture deals more with justice than it does with mercy,” said Bishop Estévez. “Pope Francis has taught that mercy is the name of God. St. Luke Chapter 15 reveals how merciful God wants to be known. Fathers Eikhuemelo and Pagano witness compassionate ministry.”

Pope Francis has appointed priests from around the world and given a special mandate to be “persuasive preachers of mercy,” to commit themselves in a particular way to hearing confessions with the “authority to pardon even those sins reserved to the Holy See,” and to serve as “personal witnesses of God’s closeness and of his way of loving.”

Pagano is pastor of St. John Paul II Parish in Nocatee. Eikhuemelo serves as pastor of three parishes in North Jacksonville: St. Pius V, Holy Rosary and Crucifixion.

Both priests will continue their role as pastors while carrying out their duties as Missionaries of Mercy.

Eikhuemelo and Pagano will be invited by individual diocesan bishops within the United States to give missions or facilitate specific initiatives with particular attention given to the sacrament of reconciliation.