Catholic Church In Nigeria Gets New Apostolic Nuncio, Crotty
Princess-Ekwi Ajide
The Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria, CBCN, clergy, religious, and lay faithful in Nigeria, welcomed the new Apostolic Nuncio to Nigeria, Archbishop Michael Francis Crotty, with joy and gratitude to God.
The President, CBCN, Archbishop Lucius Ugorji, who sent the welcome note through a statement made available to journalists in Abuja, through the National Director of Social Communications, Very Reverend Father Mike Umoh, expressed gratitude to Pope Francis, for appointing Archbishop Crotty as the Apostolic Nuncio to Nigeria to build on the good works of his predecessor, Archbishop Antonio Filipazzi.
The statement described his appointment as a testament to the strong spiritual bond between between countries, recalling that many Irish missionaries played significant roles in spreading the faith in Nigeria.
The statement also celebrated the historic connection between Nigeria and Ireland especially, as Archbishop Crotty becomes Nigeria’s first Apostolic Nuncio from Ireland, just as Archbishop Jude Thaddeus Okolo served as the first Apostolic Nuncio from Nigeria to Ireland.
The statement further appreciated Archbishop Crotty’s acceptance of serving in Nigeria and assured him of the Nigerian Church’s full support and cooperation while praying for a fruitful mission and a blessed tenure for the new Apostolic Nuncio.