Rev. Fr. Omar Niño Defensor is the new HAU university chaplain effective June 2, the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of San Fernando announced on May 18.

He was ordained into the rank of deacons on Dec. 1, 2022, where he served as the resident deacon of St. Michael the Archangel Parish in Masantol. 

Fr. Defensor was then ordained into the priesthood almost six months later on June 6, 2023, and has since then been appointed as the vice rector of the Metropolitan Cathedral of San Fernando.

As the next chaplain, Fr. Defensor will be leading the Institute for Christian Formation and Social Integration (ICFSI), Campus Ministry Office (CMO), and the University Pastoral Council (UPC) as the spiritual heads of these offices.

Fr. Defensor will be succeeding outgoing chaplain Rev. Fr. Mark Anthony Torrecarion on June 2, following a new pastoral assignment for the latter as the parish priest of Señor Salvador Parish Church in Salapungan, Candaba, Pampanga.