LAGOS MAY 16, 2017(CISA)-Pope Francis has appointed Nigerian Archbishop, Jude Thaddeus Okolo as Apostolic Nuncio to Ireland.
Archbishop Okolo becomes the first African to represent the Holy See in the country.
He previously served as nuncio to the Central African Republic and Chad in 2008, then as diplomatic representative to the Dominican Republic in 2013.
Dr Okolo will take up the role during the summer, and replaces outgoing papal nuncio Archbishop Charles Brown who finished his term in March and is moving to Albania to take up a new diplomatic post.
Archbishop Eamon Martin of the Catholic Archdiocese of Armagh welcomed his appointment expressing optimism that his experience in the diplomatic service will be important to Ireland.
“Archbishop Okolo’s rich experience in the diplomatic service of the Holy See means that he brings many gifts to bear on his new mission in Ireland,” Catholic Herald quoted Archbishop Eamon as saying.
Ireland’s Association of Catholic Priests also welcomed Archbishop Okolo’s appointment saying they hope the new nuncio will reflect a different leadership style modelled by Pope Francis.
“Our hope is that those chosen will reflect the very different style of leadership being modelled by Pope Francis. The words and actions of Pope Francis challenge the Irish Church to reflect the spirit of the Second Vatican Council and give us great courage and hope for the future,” the association said in a statement May 13.
They said the Irish church needs a new mind with vision that will engage competently and persuasively in public forums.
“The Irish church have hopefully got a man with vision, the energy and the leadership qualities to engage the hearts and minds of our people and to engage competently and persuasively in the public forum,” they said.
