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Apostolic Nuncio in South Africa, Lesotho, Namibia, Eswatini to Extend Diplomatic Service to Botswana

Archbishop Henryk Mieczysław Jagodziński to extend his diplomatic service to Botswana. Credit: Sacred Photos ZA

By Silas Isenjia

Gaborone, 20 August, 2024 / 8:53 pm (ACI Africa).

The representative of the Holy Father in the Southern African nations of South Africa, Lesotho, Namibia, and Eswatini is to extend his role as Apostolic Nuncio to Botswana.

The appointment of Archbishop Henryk Mieczysław Jagodziński to extend his diplomatic service to Botswana was made public in a Tuesday, August 20 statement from the Apostolic Nunciature in South Africa, where the Apostolic Nuncio is based.  

Botswana has been vacant since February last year following the transfer of Archbishop Peter Bryan Wells to Asia; he also represented the Holy Father in South Africa, Lesotho, Namibia, and Eswatini.

Archbishop Jagodzińsk, who was assigned the Titular See of Limosano in Italy when he was Consecrated in July 2020 started his role as Apostolic Nuncio in the West African nation of Ghana following his appointment in May 2020.

Ordained a Priest of the Catholic Diocese of Kielce in the Central European nation of Poland in June 1995, the 55-year-old Vatican diplomat was appointed Apostolic Nuncio to South Africa and Lesotho on April 16. 

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He previously served in the Pontifical Representations in Belorussia, in Croatia, at the Section for Relations with the States of the Secretary of State, at the Apostolic Nunciature in India, and in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

In Ghana, Archbishop Jagodzińsk is remembered for his “exemplary service”. In his speech during the farewell Mass for Archbishop Jagodzińsk at the Christ the King Parish of the Catholic Archdiocese of Accra on July 2, the President of the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference (GCBC) said the Vatican diplomat had “exemplified unwavering dedication, profound wisdom, and a steadfast commitment to fostering unity and understanding within our Church and beyond.”

“His Excellency has been a beacon of grace and compassion, tirelessly working to strengthen the bonds between the Holy See and our local Church communities,” Bishop Matthew Kwasi Gyamfi of Ghana's Catholic Diocese of Sunyani added about the Vatican diplomat, who was enrolled in the Holy See’s Diplomatic Service in July 2001.

Silas Isenjia

Silas Mwale Isenjia is a Kenyan journalist with a great zeal and interest for Catholic Church related communication. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Linguistics, Media and Communication from Moi University in Kenya. Silas has vast experience in the Media production industry. He currently works as a Journalist for ACI Africa.

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