POPE Francis has named an African bishop as the new Apostolic Nuncio to Ireland, the first time a priest from the continent has been appointed to the role.
Archbishop Jude Thaddeus Okolo (60), from Nigeria, was ordained to the priesthood in 1983 and has previously served as the diplomatic representative of the papacy in the Central African Republic, Chad and the Dominican Republic.
Prior to becoming an Apostolic Nuncio, he worked in the diplomatic service of the Holy See, where he was stationed in Sri Lanka, before going on to be a pontifical representative in Haiti, Switzerland, the Czech Republic, Australia and the Antillean Islands.
Archbishop Okolo will take up his new post in Ireland during the summer, and replaces outgoing Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Charles Brown, who finished his term in March and will now move to Albania to take up a new diplomatic post.
Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All-Ireland, Eamon Martin, said he wished the new Papal Nuncio "many blessings in his new role".
"Archbishop Okolo’s rich experience in the diplomatic service of the Holy See means that he brings many gifts to bear on his new mission in Ireland."
