U.S.-born Prelate Appointed Nuncio in Lesotho

Zenit News Agency ^ | September 6, 2006

[NYer]

VATICAN CITY, SEPT. 6, 2006 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI has appointed Archbishop James P. Green as apostolic nuncio in Lesotho.

Since Aug. 17, Archbishop Green, a 56-year-old native of Philadelphia, has been apostolic nuncio of South Africa and Namibia and apostolic delegate in Botswana. The Vatican press office announced his additional post today.

Until August, the then Monsignor Green was nunciature adviser in the General Affairs Section of the Vatican Secretariat of State.

He was ordained a priest in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia in May 1976. After obtaining a licentiate in canon law, he entered the Vatican diplomatic service in March 1987.

He rendered services successively in the papal representations of Papua New Guinea, Korea, the Netherlands, Spain, the Scandinavian countries, China and the Vatican Secretariat of State.

[NYer]

Additional information from Rocco Palmo .....

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Archbishop Green: The Details

For those curious, word's tripped the wire that Archbishop-elect James P. Green will be ordained to the episcopacy on 6 September in Rome. The ordination liturgy will take place at the Altar of the Chair in St Peter's Basilica with Cardinal Angelo Sodano, the outgoing Secretary of State, as principal consecrator. Cardinal Justin Rigali -- a 30-year veteran of San Damaso and its missions -- will serve as a co-consecrator.

First word on the street is that South Africa is an unusually prestigious post for a first-time nuncio. This is very true; the last American to serve there, Archbishop Ambrose DePaoli, received it as his second assignment after a five year stint in Sri Lanka. (DePaoli currently serves as nuncio to Australia.)

Archbishop Green will return home in late September, and a Philadelphia celebration will take place in the Cathedral-Basilica of Ss. Peter and Paul on the 29th of next month.

I've got my confetti.

[Carolina]

Papa's been tapping into that Archdiocese lately. My new bishop is from there.

[ELS]

Cardinal Rigali was at the audience today:

Pope Benedict XVI waves to the faithful during a weekly audience in Saint Peter's Square at the Vatican, Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2006. On the left Cardinal Justin Rigali of Philadelphia. (Daniele Colarieti/CPP)

Pope Benedict XVI gives his blessing to the faithful during a weekly audience in Saint Peter's Square at the Vatican, Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2006. On the right Cardinal Justin Rigali of Philadelphia. (Daniele Colarieti/CPP)

[Carolina]

I love that gesture of acknowlegment. The different groups introduced try to out-shine each other in their greeting to the Pope.

[fortunecookie]

Is your new Bishop a more conservative one? I'm just wondering. Our area in the western part of PA could use a few of these good Philadelphia priests.

[Carolina]

Yes, Bishop Burbidge is known to be faithful to the Magisterium. In fact, with every homily that I've heard him give since becoming our bishop, he's stressed that...be faithful to the Church's teachings...be faithful to your vocation as a Catholic...and he's talking to young people about considering consecrated life and he's not shy about it either. The priests here sense that "things are going to be a little more rigorous". Thank the Lord!

[fortunecookie]

Yes, Bishop Burbidge is known to be faithful to the Magisterium. In fact, with every homily that I've heard him give since becoming our bishop, he's stressed that...be faithful to the Church's teachings...be faithful to your vocation as a Catholic...and he's talking to young people about considering consecrated life and he's not shy about it either. The priests here sense that "things are going to be a little more rigorous". Thank the Lord!

Yes, amen indeed. Wow. What a breath of fresh air. At least it would be here. We have an new Priest at one of the local churches, but I haven't had an opportunity to attend Mass there.

It's so refreshing to hear - or at least, hear about! - a priest encourage consecrated life, and not in a way that makes girls think the Priesthood will be open to them in the future.