Nigerian Archbishop Hails Outgoing Nuncio as “a great instrument of evangelization”

The Nigerian Catholic Bishop continues about the Italian-born Vatican diplomat who started his service as Apostolic Nuncio in March 2011 in Indonesia, “While serving in Nigeria, you were also appointed as a permanent observer at the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).”

On August 8, Pope Francis appointed Archbishop Filipazzi as his representative in the Central European nation of Poland.

Born in October 1963 in the Archdiocese of Milano, Archbishop Filipazzi was ordained a Priest of Italy’s Genova-Bobbio Diocese in June 1987, before being incardinated in Ventimiglia-San Remo Diocese in September 1989.

The holder of a doctorate in Canon Law from the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross and a diploma from the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy entered the diplomatic service of the Holy See in July 1992.

In his August 22 farewell message, Archbishop Kaigama says, “Having been appointed by the Holy Father as Apostolic Nuncio to Poland, we pray for God’s flowing graces and blessings upon you in abundant measures.”

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“With the pastoral solicitude and commitment demonstrated in your work in Nigeria, there is no doubt that you will also do the same and even do more as a faithful messenger of the Pope in Poland, to support the Church to grow to higher heights,” the Nigerian Catholic Archbishop says.

The Catholic Archbishop who has been at the helm of Abuja Archdiocese since November 2019 further says, “We wish you a fruitful apostolate in Poland. You will be remembered with love and tenderness by us in Nigeria for your generosity of spirit, friendly disposition and selflessness in pastoral and spiritual service.”

“When your time to depart Nigeria finally comes, we wish you a very safe journey; and we pray God to kindly allow you to continue enjoying very good health so as to continue serving the Church as you have done in Indonesia, Nigeria and now to serve in Poland,” he says.

The 65-year-old Archbishop who started his Episcopal Ministry in April 1995 as Bishop of Nigeria’s Jalingo Diocese continues, “After Poland, may God lead you where he desires and wills.” 

“May God continue to be with you. Thank you for all you have been to us,” Archbishop Kaigama implores in his farewell message to the outgoing Apostolic Nuncio in Nigeria issued August 22.