By Fr. Michael Nsikak Umoh, CSN
The new Apostolic Nuncio to Nigeria, Most Rev. Michael Francis Crotty was officially received at the administrative headquarters of the Catholic Church in Nigeria, Abuja, today, Tuesday October 29, 2024, by the President of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria, Most Rev. Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji.
On the special delegation to welcome the papal envoy, who was accompanied by the Secretary of the Nunciature, Msgr. Carlo Mario Donati, was the Archbishop of the Metropolitan See of Abuja, Most Rev. Ignatius Ayau Kaigama, who had just returned from representing the Church in Nigeria at the Synod in Rome.
On behalf of his fellow bishops in the Conference and the entire Catholic Church in Nigeria, Archbishop Ugorji presented the traditional Kola of welcome to the Nuncio, who graciously received it with gratitude.
At the briefing, the new Nuncio presented to the CBCN President his Letter of Commendation, issued to him by the Vatican City Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, confirming his appointment as the papal envoy to the Catholic Church in Nigeria.
After introducing all those on the delegation to the Nuncio, the President of Conference expressed gratitude to the Holy Father for appointing Archbishop Crotty to Nigeria as his envoy. He acknowledged the long connection of the Church in Nigeria with Ireland through the numerous Irish missionaries who had worked tirelessly in establishing and growing the Church in Nigeria. He assured the Nuncio of the readiness of the Nigerian Church to work and collaborate fully with him to guarantee a successful tenure.
In response, Archbishop Crotty thanked the Church in Nigeria, acknowledging the greatness and beauty of the Church in Nigeria. He expressed his determination to put in his best to build on all that his predecessors have done to grow the Church.
The Secretary General of the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria (CSN), Very Rev. Fr. Zacharia Nyantiso Samjumi, led the CSN Directors and some members of the Management board to welcome the Nuncio.
Before the prayer and blessing to close the session, the Nuncio was presented with some symbolic gifts by the Conference.
Leave feedback about this