His Excellency Julien Kaboré, the newly appointed Apostolic Nuncio to Ghana, has pledged his commitment to strengthening the strong relationship between Ghana and the Holy See.
He made this pledge at his Episcopal Ordination held on September 14 in Rome. The Apostolic Nuncio expressed gratitude for the warm reception from Ghanaian dignitaries and the local Church community and acknowledged the contributions of his predecessors.
“Let me thank Ghana. Dear Ghana, thank you for your warm hospitality. So well anticipated by some Ghanaians here. I think the Ambassador is here with us and some Bishops. I will do my best, to continue the good work of my esteemed predecessors and strengthen the good relations which already exist between Ghana and the Holy See,” the Nuncio emphasised.
Archbishop Kaboré highlighted the ongoing peace efforts in his homeland, Burkina Faso particularly in response to recent attacks in Barsalogho and Kounla. “My country is suffering, but there is a growing awareness, and I pray that this dynamic of peace will succeed,” he noted.
In a homily, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican Secretary of State who presided over the Mass reminded Archbishop Kaboré of the importance of his mission as the Pope’s envoy. “You have the task of preaching peace and justice, especially among the leaders of Nations,” he stressed, adding that this work, though demanding, often faces opposition.
He noted that peacemakers are sometimes compelled to bear heavy crosses, a symbol of the challenges in this ministry.
Monsignor Laurent Dabiré, the President of the Episcopal Conference of Burkina-Niger highlighted the historic significance of Archbishop Kaboré’s appointment. “This is the first time that Burkina Faso has had one of its sons named an Apostolic Nuncio,” he noted.
Archbishop Kaboré was born on June 18, 1968, at Zorgho in Burkina Faso, and was ordained a priest on July 8, 1995. He is a member of the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Koupéla.
He joined the diplomatic service on July 1, 2004, and has served in Kenya, Papua New Guinea, Costa Rica, Korea, Croatia, Trinidad and Tobago, the Philippines, and Ireland in various capacities in these Apostolic Nunciatures. In addition to French, he is fluent in English, Italian, and Spanish and holds a Degree in Canon Law, with extensive experience in the diplomatic service of the Holy See.
Archbishop Kaboré succeeds Archbishop Henryk Mieczysław Jagodziński, who is now a Nuncio in South Africa.
Present at the Mass were Most Revs. Joseph Osei- Bonsu and John Opoku-Agyemang, Emeritus and Bishop respectively of the Konongo-Mampong Diocese; Samuel Nkuah-Boateng of Wiawso; Anthony Narh Asare and John K. Louis both Auxiliary Bishops of Accra.
Also in attendance were a delegation from Burkina Faso, representatives of the Burkinabe government, family members and friends of the Nuncio.
