Pope Francis on Tuesday announced the appointment of an Irish priest as Papal Nuncio to South Sudan.
Monsignor Séamus Horgan, who is originally from Ennis in County Clare, will be based in the capital Juba.
Monsignor Horgan, who has previously held Diplomatic Service of the Holy See rolls in Uganda, Switzerland, the Philippines and Italy, is currently First Counsellor at the Apostolic Nunciature in Washington DC.
A native of Tobarteascáin – near St Flannan’s College, where he completed his second-level education – he entered St Patrick’s College, Maynooth in 1987.
He was ordained to the priesthood in 1994 at the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul in Ennis.
Bishop of Killaloe Dr Fintan Monahan congratulated Monsignor Horgan on his appointment and assured him of “the prayers of the faithful of Killaloe Diocese”.
“Monsignor Horgan brings a wealth of pastoral and practical experience with him to his new role. A conscientious, diligent and prayerful pastor, his engagement with people is marked with great kindness and courtesy.
“He served with distinction in his appointments at local level in Bodyke and Roscrea in the diocese and in his various appointments since he entered the diplomatic service.”
Following six years of pastoral ministry in the Diocese, Monsignor Horgan who speaks English, Italian and French and has a working knowledge of German, was sent to Rome 2000 for further studies.
After completing a Licence in Canon Law (Pontifical Gregorian University), he joined the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy in Rome to prepare for the service of the Holy See.
In 2008 Monsignor Horgan was appointed a Chaplain of His Holiness and in 2019 a Prelate of Honour.
Principal of St Flannan’s College Fr Iggy McCormack described the news of the episcopal appointment as “a tremendous honour” for Monsignor Horgan and for the school.
“We are very proud of what he 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.”
“This is the first time in many decades that a Papal Nuncio has emanated from our alumni. The students and staff of St Flannan’s College wish Monsignor Séamus the very best for the future,” he said.