Before he started his service as Apostolic Nuncio to Burkina Faso and Niger following his Episcopal Ordination in August 2020, Archbishop Crotty had served in various Apostolic Nunciatures, including Kenya, Canada, Iraq, Jordan, and Spain.
In Nigeria, the Irish-born Vatican diplomat is set to succeed Archbishop Antonio Guido Filipazzi, who was transferred to Poland in August 2023 after representing the Holy Father in the West African nation since 2017.
Mons. Getahun Fanta Shikune
The newly appointed Apostolic Vicar for the Vicariate of Nekemte has been serving as the Spiritual Director of the Lazarist School and the Daughters of Charity in Ethiopia’s Catholic Archdiocese of Addis Ababa.
The Ethiopian Vicariate became vacant in May 2023 following the transfer of Bishop Varghese Thottamkara, a member the Congregation of the Mission (C.M), to the Catholic Diocese of Balasore in his native country of India.
Born in February 1973 in Aleku Sassi, West Wollega, in the same Vicariate, Mons Shikune was ordained a CM Priest in July 2001 after completing his Priestly formation at St. Francis Capuchin Institute of Philosophy and Theology in Addis Ababa.
The Alumnus of the DePaul University in Chicago, USA, where he obtained a master’s degree in Human Resources has served in various positions including the pastor of Holy Savior, Sako, and St. Mary, Metcha.
He also served as Major Seminary Rector, Provincial Superior of CM in Ethiopia, and at St. Mary of Sion Parish among other responsibilities.
Once ordained, Mons Shikune will become the ninth Apostolic Vicar of the Ethiopian Vicariate that measures 85,000 square-kilometer with a total population of 8,391,530 of which 48,800 are Catholics, according to 2022 statistics.
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.
