New Apostolic Nuncio to Nigeria Appointed

New Apostolic Nuncio to Nigeria Appointed

CANAA || By Father Don Bosco Onyalla, Nairobi || 27 April 2017

Pope Francis has appointed Monsignor Antonio Guido Filipazzi as Apostolic Nuncio to Nigeria.

The Wednesday, April 26 appointment was publicized through a Press Release issued by the Secretary General of the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, Rev. Father Ralph Madu.

Monsignor Filipazzi who hails from Milan in Italy and will be turning 54 on October 8 was ordained to the priesthood on October 10, 1987 and has a doctorate in Canon Law.

“He entered the Diplomatic Service of the Holy See in 1992 and has served in the Apostolic Nunciature in Sri Lanka, Austria, Germany, Indonesia and the Section for Relations with States of the Secretariat of State,” Father Madu stated in the Press Release.

He speaks Italian, English, French and German.

Previously, Ugandan-born Archbishop Augustine Kasujja who turned 71 on April 26 was the Apostolic Nuncio to Nigeria.

Archbishop Kasujja was transferred to Belgium in October 2016 and some two months later appointed to Luxembourg.

Apostolic Nuncios represent the Holy Father in the various countries they are appointed, playing the role of Vatican ambassador to that country. They represent the Holy See’s views on the various issues to the State and act as liaisons between the Holy See and the local Church where the Pope appoints them.