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The new pope’s first representative to South Sudan, Archbishop Séamus Patrick Horgan, arrived in Juba on Thursday.
Archbishop Hogan, who serves as Chief Counsellor at the Apostolic Nunciature in Washington, D.C., arrived at Juba airport at 10 a.m. Thursday.
He succeeds Archbishop Hubertus Mathews Maria van Megen, who had served since March 2019.
South Sudan is served by the Apostolic Nuncio to Kenya, who works with the Chargé d’affaires of the country’s Apostolic Nuncio in Juba.
The Pope’s representative, Hogan, was greeted by Catholic clergy, government officials and believers at Juba International Airport.
Speaking to the media after the papal nuncio’s arrival in Juba, Auxiliary Bishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Juba, Santo Laku Pio, said Archbishop Hogan’s appointment would boost bilateral relations with the Holy See.
“We are happy to welcome Archbishop Samuel, the first Apostolic Nuncio to South Sudan. We have had Apostolic Nuncios before, but those lived elsewhere. This is the first time since the Pope’s visit that he has appointed a permanent representative for us to live with us in Juba,” said Raku.
The new papal representative to South Sudan, Archbishop Samuel Patrick Hogan, said South Sudan holds a very special place in his and Pope Francis’ hearts.
“You know, when the pope came last year, he said that South Sudan holds a very special place in his heart, so I think he wanted to send a permanent representative so that he can be present here in a more stable way,” Hogan said.
“So thank you for accepting the papacy and for accepting me. South Sudan has begun to take a place in my heart and I know it will be a happy and fruitful mission. So thank you very much for your welcome,” he added.
On May 14, Pope Francis appointed Archbishop Samuel Patrick Hogan as the first Apostolic Nuncio to South Sudan. Archbishop Hogan is an Irishman who was born in August 1969 in the Catholic Diocese of Killaloe.
After completing his studies and training for the priesthood, he was ordained a priest in June 1994.
The Archbishop has served in several Apostolic Nunciatures, including in Uganda, Switzerland, the Philippines and Italy.
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