Michael Francis Crotty has been appointed by the Vatican as the new Apostolic Nuncio for the Catholic Church in Nigeria.
The Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) disclosed this in a statement signed by Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji, Archbishop of Owerri and President, CBCN.
“We are thankful to His Holiness, Pope Francis, for appointing Archbishop Michael Francis Crotty as the Apostolic Nuncio to Nigeria to build on the good works of his predecessor, Archbishop Antonio Filipazzi.”
The statement stat”d further that his appointment is a testament to the strong spiritual bond between Nigeria and his native country, disclosing that many Irish missionaries played a significant role in spreading the faith in Nigeria.
“We also celebrate the historic connection between our nations, as Archbishop Crotty becomes our first Apostolic Nuncio from Ireland, just as Archbishop Jude Thaddeus Okolo, who served as the first Apostolic Nuncio from Nigeria in Ireland.
“We appreciate Archbishop Crotty’s acceptance of serving in Nigeria and assure him of our full support and cooperation. We pray for a fruitful mission and a blessed tenure for your excellency,” the statement read.
