TWO of the Vatican’s most senior officials have been confirmed as attendees for the consecration of Ennis native Monsignor Séamus Horgan as Papal Nuncio to South Sudan.
Taking place at Ennis Cathedral this Saturday at 11am, the consecration of the Ennis native is expected to draw a large attendance in the county town.
Confirmation has been issued by the Diocese of Killaloe that the ceremony will be attended by the Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, and the Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization, Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle. Also in attendance will be Cardinal Christophe Pierre, Apostolic Nuncio to The United States, and Papal Nuncio to Ireland Archbishop, Luis Mariano Montemayor.
In May 2024, His Holiness Pope Francis announced the appointment of Monsignor Horgan as Papal Nuncio to South Sudan based in the city of Juba.
A native of Tobarteascáin near St. Flannan’s College where he completed his secondary schooling, Monsignor Horgan entered St Patrick’s College Maynooth in 1987 before being ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Michael Harty in 1994 at the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul in Ennis.
He is currently First Counsellor at the Apostolic Nunciature in Washington D.C. and has previously held Diplomatic Service of the Holy See roles in Uganda, Switzerland, The Philippines and Italy.
Bishop of Killaloe Dr. Fintan Monahan said, “We are honoured to be welcoming the Secretariat of State to County Clare. As the principal collaborator of His Holiness Pope Francis, Cardinal Parolin’s presence at Ennis Cathedral this weekend will add to the sense of occasion during what will be a hugely proud day for Monsignor Séamus and for our Diocese”.
St. Flannan’s College Principal Fr. Iggy McCormack said, “This episcopal appointment is a tremendous honour for Monsignor Séamus and for our school, and we are looking forward to the prestigious occasion of his consecration on Saturday, We are very proud of what Monsignor Séamus has achieved in his ministry to date during which time he has served as Secretary of the Apostolic Nunciatures in Kampala, Berne and Manila, as well as working at the Secretariat of State in Rome from 2015 to 2020 before assuming his current role in the United States”.
Following his consecration Monsignor Séamus Horgan will be one of four incumbent Irish Papal Nuncios, the remaining three being Archbishop Eugene Nugent from County Clare (Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar), Archbishop Michael F Crotty from Cork (Nigeria) and Archbishop Noël Treanor from Monaghan (European Union).
Cross native, Cllr Gabriel Keating (FG) tabled a request at the July meeting of Clare County Council for the local authority to mark the event by holding a reception over the weekend.
