Former curate in Killaloe diocese appointed as Nuncio to South Sudan

FORMER Roscrea curate Monsignor Séamus Horgan has been appointed as Papal Nuncio to South Sudan by Pope Francis.

Monsignor Horgan spent a number of years in Roscrea in the late 1990s shortly after his ordination 30 years ago.

The Diocese of Killaloe has welcomed the appointment. A native of Tobarteascáin near St. Flannan’s College where he completed his secondary schooling, Monsignor Horgan entered St Patrick’s College Maynooth in 1987 before being ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Michael Harty in 1994 at the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul in Ennis.

He is currently First Counsellor at the Apostolic Nunciature in Washington DC and has previously held Diplomatic Service of the Holy See rolls in Uganda, Switzerland, The Philippines and Italy.

Born in Ennis (Ireland) in 1969, he attended the local primary school, before completing his secondary schooling at St Flannan’s College, Ennis.

He entered St Patrick’s College, Maynooth in 1987. After completing a B.A. (National University of Ireland) in 1990 and a Baccalaureate in Theology (Pontifical University, Maynooth) in 1993, he was ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of Killaloe on June 11^th, 1994.

Following six years of pastoral ministry in his Diocese in the parishes of Bodyke and Roscrea, he was sent to Rome in the year 2000 for further studies. After completing a Licence in Canon Law (Pontifical Gregorian University), he entered the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy in Rome to prepare for the service of the Holy See.

Upon completion of his doctoral studies in Canon Law in 2005, he entered the Diplomatic Service of the Holy See and has served in the following capacities:

• Attaché and then Secretary of the Apostolic Nunciature in Kampala (2005-2008);

• Secretary of the Apostolic Nunciature in Berne (2008-2012);

• Secretary and then Counsellor of the Apostolic Nunciature in Manila (2012-2015)

• Minutante (Desk Officer) in the II Section of the Secretariat of State in Rome (2015-2020)

• First Counsellor at the Apostolic Nunciature in Washington (2020-present).

In 2008 he was appointed a Chaplain of His Holiness and in 2019 a Prelate of Honour.

Msgr Horgan speaks English, Italian & French; he has a working knowledge of German.

Commenting on the appointment, Bishop of Killaloe Dr. Fintan Monahan said, “I warmly congratulate Monsignor Séamus Horgan on his appointment by Pope Francis to be Nuncio to South Sudan based in the city of Juba. He is also appointed to the titular See of Árd Sratha - Ardstraw, County Tyrone.”

Bishop Monahan continued, "Monsignor Horgan brings a wealth of pastoral and practical experience with him to his new role. A conscientious, diligent and prayerful pastor, his engagement with people is marked with great kindness and courtesy. He served with distinction in his appointments at local level in Bodyke and Roscrea in the diocese and in his various appointments since he entered the diplomatic service.

"I wish Monsignor Horgan every good wish and blessing in his important role and assure him of the prayers of the faithful of Killaloe Diocese,” added Bishop Monahan. “At this time there are three Apostolic Nuncios, originally from Ireland, in active diplomatic service for the Universal Church - and here in Killaloe we are very proud of the fact that two of them are natives of our diocese.”

St. Flannan’s College Principal Fr. Iggy McCormack said, “This episcopal appointment is a tremendous honour for Monsignor Séamus and for our school. We are very proud of what he has achieved in his ministry to date during which time he has served as Secretary of the Apostolic Nunciatures in Kampala, Berne and Manila, as well as working at the Secretariat of State in Rome from 2015 to 2020 before assuming his current role in the United States.”

“This is the first time in many decades that a Papal Nuncio has emanated from our alumni. The students and staff of St Flannan’s College wish Monsignor Séamus the very best for the future,” added Fr McCormack.