Apostolic Nuncio in South Africa, Lesotho to Extend His Vatican Diplomatic Role to Namibia, Eswatini

Johannesburg, 18 July, 2024 / 8:17 PM

The representative of the Holy Father in South Africa and Lesotho is to extend his Vatican diplomatic role to the Southern African nations of Namibia and Eswatini. 

The appointment of Archbishop Henryk Mieczysław Jagodziński, who was assigned the Titular See of Limosano in Italy when he was Consecrated in July 2020 was made public in a Thursday, July 18 statement from South Africa’s Apostolic Nunciature. 

Namibia and Eswatini have been vacant since February this year following the transfer of Archbishop Peter Bryan Wells to Asia. Besides South Africa, Lesotho, Namibia and Eswatini, Archbishop Wells also represented the Holy Father in Botswana.

Archbishop Jagodzińsk started his role as Apostolic Nuncio in the West African nation of Ghana following his appointment in May 2020.

Ordained a Priest of the Catholic Diocese of Kielce in the Central European nation of Poland in June 1995, the 55-year-old Vatican diplomat was appointed Apostolic Nuncio to South Africa and Lesotho on April 16. 

He previously served in the Pontifical Representations in Belorussia, in Croatia, at the Section for Relations with the States of the Secretary of State, at the Apostolic Nunciature in India, and in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

In Ghana, Archbishop Jagodzińsk is remembered for his “exemplary service”.

In his speech during the farewell Mass for Archbishop Jagodzińsk at the Christ the King Parish of the Catholic Archdiocese of Accra on July 2, the President the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference (GCBC) said the Vatican diplomat had “exemplified unwavering dedication, profound wisdom, and a steadfast commitment to fostering unity and understanding within our Church and beyond.”

“His Excellency has been a beacon of grace and compassion, tirelessly working to strengthen the bonds between the Holy See and our local Church communities,” Bishop Matthew Kwasi Gyamfi of Ghana's Catholic Diocese of Sunyani added about the Vatican diplomat, who was enrolled in the Holy See’s Diplomatic Service in July 2001.