H.R. No. 1308
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The Reverend Anthony C. Celino has been appointed by
Pope Francis as auxiliary bishop of the Diocese of El Paso, which
serves more than 720,000 Catholics in West Texas; and
WHEREAS, Born in the Philippines, Tony Celino attended Mary
Help of Christians High School Seminary in Binmaley and Mary Help of
Christians College Seminary in Dagupan City; he immigrated to the
United States in 1993 and earned a bachelor's degree in sacred
theology and a master's degree in divinity from the University of
St. Mary of the Lake in Illinois; he later received a licentiate in
canon law from The Catholic University of America in Washington,
D.C.; and
WHEREAS, Ordained on June 9, 1997, Bishop Celino was assigned
as parochial vicar at St. Patrick Cathedral in El Paso; he
subsequently served in roles at various parishes in El Paso,
including as pastor of Santa Lucia Parish and temporary
administrator of St. Stephen Deacon and Martyr Parish; he assumed
his most recent position as pastor of St. Raphael Parish in 2017;
and
WHEREAS, Bishop Celino has also served as a judicial vicar
for the diocesan tribunal and as vicar general, chancellor,
diocesan administrator, and moderator of the curia; in addition, he
has been a member of the boards of Diocesan Migrant and Refugee
Services, Tepeyac Institute, and the Catholic Foundation for the
Diocese of El Paso; and
WHEREAS, Only the third Filipino in the United States to be
elevated to bishop, Bishop Celino has served the border community
in El Paso for the past 25 years, and his dedication to the Catholic
Church and to the people of West Texas will serve him well in the
years ahead; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas
Legislature hereby congratulate Anthony C. Celino on his
appointment as auxiliary bishop of the Diocese of El Paso and extend
to him sincere best wishes for continued success with his important
work; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for Bishop Celino as an expression of high regard by the
Texas House of Representatives.
Ordaz
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 1308 was adopted by the House on May
6, 2023, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House