By Abouna.org
The Catholic Center for Studies and Media (CCSM) announced Wednesday, March 18, that Pope Francis had named Archbishop Giorgio Lingua as apostolic nuncio to the Republic of Cuba succeeding former ambassador Archbishop Bruno Musarò who had earlier been named as apostolic nuncio to Egypt. Archbishop Lingua had served in the Vatican diplomatic corps since 1992 before becoming archbishop and before serving as apostolic nuncio for the first time to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and the Iraqi Republic.
The Catholic Center for Studies and Media (CCSM) announced Wednesday, March 18, that Pope Francis had named Archbishop Giorgio Lingua as apostolic nuncio to the Republic of Cuba succeeding former ambassador Archbishop Bruno Musarò who had earlier been named as apostolic nuncio to Egypt. Archbishop Lingua had served in the Vatican diplomatic corps since 1992 before becoming archbishop and before serving as apostolic nuncio for the first time to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and the Iraqi Republic.
The CCS added is a statement issued today: “Archbishop Lingua leaves
today for a new mission after having experienced one of the most
important and dangerous stages in the Middle East which witnessed the
unprecedented sprouting of extremist movements, as well as the
oppression practised against Christians in Iraq and their unpredictable
future particularly for those living in Jordan. The bishop, who was
ordained archbishop on the eve of the convening of the Synod of Bishops
for the Middle East in the Vatican, demonstrated over his five years of
service his affection for the displaced and the suffering. He also paid
tribute and support for the charity organizations that provide their
services to the displaced brethren, particularly the Catholic
associations that serve everyone without exception. The latest activity
he had a month ago was sponsoring and organizing, alongside Caritas
Jordan, the conference of charity associations that help alleviate the
suffering of the displaced Iraqis.
The statement continued: “It is to be noted that Archbishop Lingua,
who learned Arabic and mastered Mass celebrations in Arabic, had made
preparations for receiving Pope Francis during his visit to the
Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, being the first leg of his historic
pilgrimage trip to the Holy Land, in its capacity as the first visit of
the pope of simplicity and humility to the Middle East. Lingua leaves
for Cuba at a time when US-Cuban détente is witnessed. US President
Obama earlier announced that Pope Francis had contributed to the
normalization of relations in the wake of the lingering state of
stalemate. He, consequently, comes to Cuba--with a career starting in
1992--at a time when the Holy See diplomacy is highly appreciated.
With the end of his term of duty, Archbishop Lingua said in press
statements: "The diplomatic relations between the Holy See and the
Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, which we celebrated last year its 20th
anniversary, are definitely a step in the right direction, and this is
attributed to the wisdom of the Hashemite leadership in the Kingdom of
Jordan and the papal leadership in the Vatican. What instills
satisfaction is to realize that up to this very day there are those who
believe without hesitation that peace is possible, and that it can be
attained through dialogue, cooperation as well as through unstinting
endeavors to bring about the common good.” He stressed that the
Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and the Holy See jointly and indefatigably
strive to entrench permanent peace and stability in the region, that
they are convinced that this will be possible only through the goodwill
of everyone, without exception, and that there will be no peace unless
human rights of all people are respected particularly the most
vulnerable.
He added: "I have felt the brotherly love in Jordan. For example, a
young mechanic fixed my car under heavy rain, and instead of exploiting
me being a foreigner, he told me: ‘You are welcome in Jordan.’ I never
met him before and I might not see him in the future, but he made me
know that I was welcome as a brother and a friend.’’ He concluded his
statement by saying: “I hope that the Jordanian people will continue its
march as a model of religious and peaceful coexistence among the
various components of society.”
The Holy See has not yet named the successor of Archbishop Lingua, namely the nuncio to Jordan and Iraq.
The statement--issued by Fr. Rif’at Bader, director of the CCSM which
was established by the Latin Patriarchate in 2012--paid tribute to
Archbishop Lingua for his benevolent and noble efforts, as well as for
his cooperation with the heads of the local churches, with the civil and
political authorities, and with the citizens and with those arriving in
Jordan and Iraq. The statement also wishes him a blessed and successful
mission in Cuba so as to continue incorporating the diplomatic action
with the culture of meeting, love and compassion with those suffering in
the world.