Apostolic Nuncio for Burkina Faso, Niger Says New Mission is “a challenge as well as grace”

Cotonou, 24 October, 2025 / 6:28 PM

The representative of the Holy Father appointed on August 15 for Burkina Faso and Niger has described his new mission as both a challenge and a grace.

Speaking to journalists upon arrival in Benin for his Episcopal Ordination scheduled for November 15, Mons. Eric Soviguidi emphasized the close connection between local churches and the universal Church, highlighting the importance of Benin’s contribution to global ecclesial service.

“We give thanks to the Lord and ask for His help to carry the responsibility this represents. Every congratulatory message I receive is a prayer for me. It is both a challenge as well as grace,” Mons. Soviguidi, a native of Benin, said upon arrival at Cotonou’s Bernardin-Gantin International Airport on Thursday, October 23.

He added, “A local church is always in line with the universal church. And I think it's beautiful that the universal church asks from time to time the sons of different local churches for this service.”

“I think it is important that each church contributes to the service of the Pope, of the Blessed Virgin, and of the universal church. I hope there will be others. I think it is together that each particular church constitutes the universal church,” the Archbishop-elect said.

Born in Benin’s Catholic Diocese of Abomey in March 1971, Mons. Soviguidi was ordained a Priest in October 1998 and incardinated in the Catholic Archdiocese of Cotonou.

The graduate in Canon Law entered the diplomatic service of the Holy See in July 2005 and has since served in various places as Nuncio. These include Haiti, Ghana, Tanzania, and in Guatemala. He has also served in the Section for Relations with States and International Organizations of the Secretariat of State, and most recently at UNESCO as Permanent Observer.

Reflecting on the choice of Benin for his Episcopal Ordination on November 15 at the Sacred Heart Cathedral of Cotonou Archdiocese, Mons. Soviguidi said, “We are at the service of the Blessed Virgin and our city is the Vatican. Therefore, it is logical that we are ordained in Rome. But I told myself, in Benin, we have never seen the ordination of a Nuncio.”

He continued, “I said it was important that we do it here in the country. And I do not hide from you that I am attached to my country and to my local church.”

Mons. Sauvigidi expressed confidence in divine guidance and in the collaborative work of the Church as he embarks on his new mission.

 “Together, the path will be made for peace to be consolidated in these two countries—with faith and determination,” he said.