IPNEWS: The Apostolic Nuncio to Liberia and Sierra Leone, who was recently appointed by the Head and Holy Father of the Catholic Church in the world, Pope Francis, has arrived in Monrovia to begin his pastoral duties.
The Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Walter Erbi, was appointed to Liberia on July 16, 2022, after the departure of his predecessor Dagoberto Campos Salas on July 2022 from Liberia.
Nuncio Erbi will serve as a diplomatic representative of the Holy See and Apostolic Nuncio of the Holy Father Pope Francis here in Liberia and Sierra Leone.
Speaking on Wednesday, October 19, 2022, when he arrived in Liberia via the e Roberts International Airport(RIA) in Margibi County, Archbishop Erbi applauded parishioners of the church for their warm welcome in the country.
In his brief remarks, he said his appointment to Liberia shows how much the Holy Father loves the country and Africa at large.
“The Holy Father wants me to bring his closeness, personal affection, and love to you all, the dioceses in Liberia and Sierra Leone,’’ intoned the newly appointed Nuncio.
Archbishop Erbi, however, pleaded for a cordial working relationship between priests and religious brothers and sisters in the country.
For his part, the Head of the Archdiocese of Monrovia, Rev. Monsignor Dr. Gabriel Blamo Jubwe termed the appointment of Nuncio Erbi as an indication of the Holy Father’s love and spiritual closeness to the Catholic Church in Liberia.
Monsignor Jubwe stated, ” as a church and as a nation, we have been particularly blessed by the special closeness and solidarity of the Holy See since the establishment of diplomatic relations with Liberia on December 15, 1927, being solid Africa.”
The Diocese Administrator recalled that since the establishment of diplomatic relations, the Holy See has kept a fatherly watchful eye on Liberia through the presence of different Apostolic Nuncios.
“As the personal representative of the Holy Father, your presence among us will serve as a continuing source of strength and hope. You come to us, at this time, with decades of service in the diplomatic corps of the Holy See in the Philippines, Turkey, the United States of America, the Secretariat of State, and the Pontifical representations in Italy which give you a depth of understanding of the church’s relations to people of diverse cultures and contexts,” Monsignor Jubwe said.
He indicated that the church has no doubt that the Nuncio’s vast knowledge and experiences will enable him to see the intricacies involved in representing the Holy Father in both the church and diplomatic worlds, especially now as Liberia struggles to sustain the long-earned peace and build a democratic society.
Meanwhile, the arrival of the newly appointed Papal Nuncio to Liberia was hugely graced by Catholic Bishops, Priests, religious men and women, organizations including the Ancient & Noble Order of Knights of St. John International &Ladies Auxiliaries, Catholic Women and Men Organizations among others.
