Pope Francis appoints Mgr. Seamus Horgan as Nuncio

Statement of Bishop Fintan Monahan on the announcement of the appointment of Rt. Rev. Mgr. Seamus Horgan as Papal Nuncio

 

 

Tuesday, 14th of May, 2024 – Feast of the Apostle St. Matthias

I warmly congratulate Mgr. Seamus Horgan, a priest of the diocese of Killaloe who has been appointed 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, Co. Tyrone, Diocese of Derry, associated with St. Eugene).

A native of Ennis, past pupil of St. Flannan’s College, Mgr. Seamus was ordained to the priesthood 30 years ago, in 1994 by Bishop Michael Harty in the Cathedral of Sts. Peter and Paul.

He 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 him every good wish and blessing in his important role and assure him of the prayers of faithful of Killaloe Diocese.  At this time there are four 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!

Sts. Matthias, Flannan and Senan pray for him.

Ends.

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Msgr Séamus Horgan

Curriculum vitae

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 11th, 1994.

Following six years of pastoral ministry in his Diocese, he was sent to Rome in the year 2000 for further studies. After completing a Licence in Canon Law (Pontifical Gregorian University), he joined 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 Counselor at the Apostolic Nunciature in Washington (2020-present).

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

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