
By Tina Akwai, Catholic Communication
CATHOLIC APOSTOLIC Nuncio His Excellency Most Reverend Archbishop Fermín Emilio Sosa Rodriquez representing His Father Pope Francis to Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands (PNG/SI) has arrived in Honiara yesterday afternoon.
The Purpose of this visit is to present his credentials to His Excellency, the Governor General this week, accrediting him as Holy Sea Apostolic Nuncio, the Ambassador to PNG/SI with residence in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea.
While in the country, the Apostolic Nuncio will be accompanied by the Catholic Archbishop of Honiara Archbishop Christopher Cardone OP to make a courtesy call to Foreign Minister and External Trade Jeremiah Manele (MP) and the Prime Minister Manasseh D Sogavare (MP).
He will also visit the Holy Name of Mary Seminary (the School for Priests) in Tenaru, East Guadalcanal some of the Catholic sites in Honiara, attend Archdiocese Priest Meeting and will be the Presider in the CHRISM MASS on Wednesday 15 February 2023 in Holy Cross Cathedral at 5pm and on join on Sunday 7am Holy Mass at the Holy Cross Cathedral.
This is the Apostolic Nuncio’s first visit to Solomon Islands after Pope Francis appointed him titular archbishop of Virunum and apostolic nuncio to Papua New Guinea on 31 March 2021. On 16 December 2021, he was given additional responsibility as Apostolic Nuncio to the Solomon Islands and now resides in Port Moresby, PNG.
Upon his arrival at the Henderson Airport, he was escorted by Chief of Protocol Mr. Mason and was welcomed by His Grace Archbishop Christopher. M. Cardone OP, Holy Name of Mary Seminary Rector Fr. Paulus, 5 Seminarian Brothers and Fr. Yohanes.
He was then transported to Holy Cross accompanied by the Archbishop Chris and was welcomed by Archdiocese Priests at the Archbishop Residence where the Nuncio will be staying this week.
His Excellency Monsignor Fermin Emilio Sosa Rodriquez will leave Honiara on Sunday 19th Feb 2023.