THE PAPAL NUNCIO AND HIS DUTIES

Edited by Fr Lawrence Ogundipe SDV 

The Holy Father  often appoints papal nuncios to represent him and the interests of the Catholic Church in various countries.  Today His Excellency, MOST REVD ANTONIO G. FILIPAZI, the PAPAL NUNCIO to NIGERIA is 11 Years in the Episcopal Ministry.  May God bless him 

WHO IS A PAPAL NUNCIO? 

A Papal nuncio is a papal ambassador, i.e. a permanent diplomatic representative of the Holy See to a state or an international organization. The papal nuncio is a permanent representative of the pope who is assigned with the task of safeguarding the interests of the Holy See in a particular country or region. 

According to the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, a papal nuncio is an ambassador equal to an ambassador from any other country. However in Catholic countries the papal nuncio may rank above other ambassadors in diplomatic protocol.

WHAT IS AN APOSTOLIC NUNCIATURE? 

An apostolic nunciature is a top-level diplomatic mission of the Holy See, equivalent to an embassy. 

WHAT ARE THE DUTIES OF A PAPAL NUNCIO? 

While at the Seminary of Saints Peter and Paul  Bodija  Ibadan  His Excellency  Filipazi  explained that the papal nuncio serves as the liaison between the Holy See and the Roman Catholic diocesan episcopate in the nation, region or organization in which he is placed. Thus, some of the duties include:

a. To inform the Apostolic See about the conditions in which the particular Churches find themselves, and matters which affect the life of the Church and the good of souls.

b. To foster close relations with the Bishops Conference, offering it every assistance. and matters which affect the life of the Church and the good of souls.

c. To work with the Bishops to foster appropriate exchanges between the Catholic Church and other Churches or ecclesial communities, and indeed with non-Christian religions. 

d. To promote and foster relationships between the Apostolic See and State authorities.

e. To address questions concerning relations between Church and State, drawing up concordats and other similar agreements, and giving effect to them. 

f. When the pope visits other countries, it is the papal nuncio who welcomes him and gives him the detailed information about the diplomatic and ecclesiastical developments in that country.

CONCLUSION 

The Holy See has diplomatic relations with various nations and organizations and so there is a need for representatives in order to oversee these relations. The views of the Church needs to be presented by the pope but because of the many commitments among other barriers; the pope cannot manage to represent himself in all the regions. That is the main reason as to why the papal nuncio position was established.

The Vocationist Nigeria Delegation celebrate you today.  We pray that our lady of Divine Vocations will continue to intercede for you 

Source: Catholic vocus group on Facebook