New Papal Nuncio appointed to Ireland

Archbishop Okolo

Pope Francis has appointed a new Apostolic Nuncio to Ireland: His Excellency Archbishop Jude Thaddeus Okolo, Titular Archbishop of Novica. It is expected that the Archbishop will arrive Ireland in the summer.

Archbishop Jude Thaddeus Okolo was born in Kano, Nigeria, on 18 December 1956. He was ordained to the priesthood on 2 July 1983 for the Diocese of Nnewi. Archbishop Jude undertook his post-graduate studies in Rome, and concluded with a doctorate in Canon Law. Called to the Diplomatic Service of the Holy See, he began his first assignment in June 1990, in Sri Lanka. Later, he served in Haiti, the Antillean Islands (including Trinidad & Tobago, Barbados, Saint Lucia, the Bahamas, Jamaica, etc.), Switzerland, the Czech Republic and Australia.

Archbishop Okolo was appointed Apostolic Nuncio to the Central African Republic and Chad on the 2 August 2008. Subsequently, on 7 October 2013, he was appointed Apostolic Nuncio to the Dominican Republic and Apostolic Delegate in Puerto Rico. Archbishop Okolo speaks Igbo, English, French, Italian, Czech, Spanish and German.

His interests include sacred music, piano, reading and table tennis.

Archbishop Eamon Martin, Archbishop of Armagh welcomed the appointment saying: "I warmly welcome the appointment by His Holiness Pope Francis of Archbishop Jude Thaddeus Okolo as Apostolic Nuncio to Ireland and I wish him many blessings in his new role. Archbishop Okolo's rich experience in the diplomatic service of the Holy See means that he brings many gifts to bear on his new mission in Ireland. I pray that his time among us as the representative of the Holy Father will be blessed and fruitful."