logo
New Apostolic Nuncio to Ethiopia receives warm welcome in Addis Ababa

New Apostolic Nuncio to Ethiopia receives warm welcome in Addis Ababa

Herald Malaysia26-06-2025
The Catholic Church in Ethiopia has warmly welcomed Archbishop Brian Ngozi Udaigwe as the new Apostolic Nuncio to Ethiopia, following his appointment by Pope Francis. Jun 26, 2025
Archbishop Brian Ngozi Udaigwe speaks at the Apostolic Nunciature upon his arrival in Addis Ababa
By Bezawit Assefa - Addis AbabaThe late Pope Francis appointed Archbishop Brian Ngozi Udaigwe as the new Apostolic Nuncio to Ethiopia on April 12, 2025, just a few days before his death.
Until this new assignment, Archbishop Udaigwe had served as the Apostolic Nuncio to Sri Lanka.
He was formally welcomed to Addis Ababa this week at Ethiopian Airlines and later at the Apostolic Nunciature, where Church officials, clergy, members of the diplomatic corps, and the faithful gathered to greet him and express their joy at his arrival.
Archbishop Udaigwe, a native of the Catholic Diocese of Orlu in Nigeria, enjoys an accomplished career in the diplomatic service of the Holy See spanning more than three decades.
Ordained a priest on May 2, 1992, he continued his studies at the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy in Rome before entering the diplomatic service of the Holy See on July 1, 1994. His early diplomatic assignments included service in Zimbabwe, Ivory Coast, Haiti, Bulgaria, Thailand, and the United Kingdom.
He was appointed Titular Archbishop of Suelli and Apostolic Nuncio on February 22, 2013, by Pope Benedict XVI and was consecrated bishop on April 27, 2013, by Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone.
Later in 2013, he was appointed Apostolic Nuncio to Benin and subsequently to Togo. He then served in Sri Lanka from June 13, 2020, until his recent reassignment.
During the welcoming ceremony, Msgr. Massimo Catterin, Secretary of the Nunciature, offered heartfelt congratulations to Archbishop Udaigwe and warmly welcomed him to Ethiopia.
He also recalled the special significance of the appointment, noting that the late Pope Francis had sent the Archbishop to Ethiopia just nine days before his passing—a gesture that reflected the Holy Father's lasting attention to the Ethiopian Church.
Msgr. Catterin assured the Archbishop of the full support and collaboration of the Nunciature team. 'If you are our father, we are your sons—sons ready to listen and be encouraged by your experience,' he said.
In his address, Archbishop Udaigwe expressed his deep appreciation for the historical and spiritual significance of Ethiopia, noting its influential role as a hub for many African nations.
He commended the efforts of the local Church, emphasizing the importance of mutual support and collaboration 'for the glory of God.'
In his remarks, the Archbishop also reflected on the unique nature of his appointment, explaining that the process began under the pontificate of Pope Francis and was completed by Pope Leo XIV. This, he said, marked his mission to Ethiopia as a distinct and meaningful journey in the service of the Church.
With his new appointment to Ethiopia, Archbishop Udaigwe brings seasoned diplomatic and pastoral expertise to the Horn of Africa, continuing his mission of representing the Holy Father and strengthening the bonds between the Holy See and the local Church.--Vatican News
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Italy and Algeria boost cooperation with new security and business deals
Italy and Algeria boost cooperation with new security and business deals

The Star

time10 hours ago

  • The Star

Italy and Algeria boost cooperation with new security and business deals

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune talk as they meet during the Italy-Algeria summit at Villa Doria Pamphilj in Rome, Italy, July 23, 2025. REUTERS/Remo Casilli ROME (Reuters) -Italy and Algeria agreed to work together to fight terrorism and control migration during an intergovernmental meeting in Rome on Wednesday, while companies signed off on deals in sectors including energy and telecommunications. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni met Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune at the 17th-century Villa Doria Pamphili, after a trip to Algiers by Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani in March. "Our bilateral relations have reached a level of intensity and solidity that had never been achieved before," Meloni told a news conference after the meeting. Algeria is Rome's leading trading partner in Africa, with trade worth almost 14 billion euros ($16.4 billion) while Italian investments there amount to 8.5 billion euros, Meloni's government said. "I express my confidence in what we have achieved at this summit. The agreements signed open broad horizons for a model strategic partnership that reflects the depth of our relations," Algerian President Tebboune said. A total of 13 agreements have been signed between the governments of Italy and Algeria, including one on fighting terrorism and its financing. It was not specified which threats the countries were focused on. The two nations have also agreed on a plan to coordinate the search and rescue operations for migrants who attempt the dangerous sea crossing from North Africa to Europe. Meloni's right-wing government was elected in 2022 on a mandate to curb migrant arrivals. BUSINESS TIES On the business side, Italian energy group Eni this month signed a production sharing contract with oil and gas company Sonatrach worth $1.3 billion to explore and develop hydrocarbons in Algeria. On the sidelines of the meeting, the two companies signed an additional agreement to strengthen their cooperation. "We are very satisfied with the collaboration between Eni and its counterpart Sonatrach, which will become even stronger," Meloni told reporters. Eni buys gas from Sonatrach under a long-term contract that has made the north African country one of the key fuel suppliers for Italy after Rome severed ties with Russia's Gazprom following Moscow's invasion of Ukraine. A separate deal will involve Submarine cable company Sparkle, a unit of Telecom Italia (TIM), which is set to be sold to a consortium led by Italy's Treasury later this year. Sparkle will sign a preliminary agreement with Algerie Telecom for a new subsea cable connecting the two countries. "Algeria is a strategic partner, and we are working hard to make this partnership ever broader, stronger and more diversified," Foreign Minister Tajani said during a speech at a business forum with over 400 companies from the two nations. ($1 = 0.8521 euros) (Reporting by Angelo Amante; Additional reporting by Tarek Amara; Editing by Toby Chopra and Keith Weir)

Traditional Malay wedding charms AARDO international civil servants
Traditional Malay wedding charms AARDO international civil servants

New Straits Times

time4 days ago

  • New Straits Times

Traditional Malay wedding charms AARDO international civil servants

LANGKAWI: A group of 20 civil servants from 17 member countries of the African-Asian Rural Development Organisation (AARDO) were captivated by the vibrant traditions of a Malay wedding ceremony in Kampung Sungai Itau today. The delegates, who are in Malaysia for an eight-day international training programme organised by the Institute of Rural Advancement (INFRA) with the support of the Rural and Regional Development Ministry, took part in various aspects of the ceremony, including customary games and traditional food preparations. Participants in the programme included representatives from Bangladesh, Egypt, Eswatini, Gambia, Ghana, India, Kenya, Liberia, Korea, Mauritius, Namibia, Nigeria, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Zambia and Jordan. Alagie Gaye from Gambia said the opportunity to witness a Malay wedding was a valuable experience that offered clear insight into the traditions and way of life in Malaysian villages. "I learned a lot about traditional Malay attire, local games, and the very warm way guests are welcomed. I'm so happy to have been part of this and will bring these memories home to Gambia. "You can only truly appreciate a culture when you live among the people and learn from them directly," he said. Gautam Singh from India echoed a similar sentiment, saying the opportunity to live with a host family provided invaluable insights into Malaysian village life. "Langkawi is a beautiful island, and programmes like this allow us to gain a deeper understanding of cultures beyond our own. I hope more initiatives like this continue," he said. INFRA director Abd Jalil Ismail said the programme was designed to deepen the participants' understanding of Malaysia's rural development policies and approaches. "They are not only learning about our policies but are also seeing the results for themselves, such as in Kampung Sungai Itau, which previously received the Madani Village Award," he said. Malaysia was recently chosen to host the AARDO International Training Programme aimed at promoting inclusive and sustainable regional development. Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi had said that since joining AARDO in 1962, Malaysia has actively contributed to capacity-building and training through INFRA.

Barcelona agree sponsorship deal with DR Congo to promote tourism
Barcelona agree sponsorship deal with DR Congo to promote tourism

The Sun

time6 days ago

  • The Sun

Barcelona agree sponsorship deal with DR Congo to promote tourism

DEMOCRATIC Republic of Congo has agreed to pay more than 40 million euros ($46.37 million) in a sponsorship deal with Spanish soccer club Barcelona that would see a logo promoting tourism appear on some team apparel, according to a contract seen on Thursday by Reuters. The contract with Barcelona is dated June 29 and stipulates that a logo branding the war-hit Central African country as the 'heart of Africa' will appear on the backs of training and warm-up jerseys for the men's and women's teams. The logo will also appear in advertising for the club and in the club magazine and annual report, the contract says. Congo will pay the club between 10 million and 11.5 million euros annually over the next four seasons, it says. Details of the deal between Congo and Barcelona have not been announced. AS Monaco and AC Milan last month also announced sponsorship deals with Congo without disclosing the amounts. Congolese sports minister Didier Budimbu told Reuters the contract with AS Monaco is worth 1.6 million euros per season. He did not disclose the amounts for the contracts with AC Milan and Barcelona. A Congolese government source said the contract with AC Milan was worth 14 million euros per season. Announcing the AC Milan deal on June 20, Congolese tourism minister Didier M'Pambia said it was part of a government strategy 'to reposition the DRC on the international stage as an undisputed leader on the African continent' by promoting tourism and investment opportunities. Congo's tourism ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Thursday, while Barcelona told Reuters they had no comment at this time. In February Congo's foreign minister Therese Kayikwamba Wagner urged football clubs Arsenal, Bayern Munich and Paris St Germain to end their 'blood-stained' sponsorship agreements with 'Visit Rwanda'. The appeal came less than a week after M23 rebels seized eastern Congo's biggest city, Goma as part of a lightning advance. Rwanda denies backing M23, saying it is defending itself. A report by a group of United Nations experts obtained by Reuters this month said Kigali exercised command and control over the rebels during their advance, gaining political influence and access to mineral-rich territory. ($1 = 0.8626 euros) -REUTERS

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store