New Apostolic Nuncio hands over his credentials to ministry of foreign affairs

Archbishop Séamus Patrick Horgan (L) hands over his credentials to Ramadan Mohammed Abdallah Goc, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation on Friday in Juba.

By Awan Achiek

The new Apostolic Nuncio for South Sudan Archbishop Séamus Patrick Horgan on Friday presented his credentials to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ramadan Mohammed Abdallah Goc, on Friday for approval before the start of his mission in the country.

Goc praised the critical services provided by the Catholic Church over the years to South Sudanese people since 1972, while receiving the credentials of the first ever permanent Apostolic Nuncio in the country, according to a statement issued by the ministry of foreign affairs.

He emphasized that the Catholic Church continues to provide education which has enabled many South Sudanese doctors, pastors, and teachers to gain knowledge and skills.

For his part, Archbishop Horgan appreciated the government and the people of South Sudan for absolute cooperation with the Catholic Church over the past decades.

He emphasized that serving the people of South Sudan is a blessing to the Catholic Church in the country.

On May 14, Pope Francis appointed Archbishop Séamus Patrick Horgan as the first-ever resident Apostolic Nuncio to South Sudan.

He replaced Archbishop Hubertus Mathews Maria van Megen, who served since March 2019.

South Sudan had prior to the appointment of the Apostolic Nuncio by the Pope been under the Kenya-based Apostolic Nuncio in collaboration with a Charge d’Affaire based at the country’s Apostolic Nunciature in Juba.

Archbishop Horgan, who is originally from Ennis in County Clare, will be based in the capital Juba.

He previously held diplomatic serrvice of the Holy See roles in Uganda, Switzerland, the Philippines and Italy.