A FAREWELL MESSAGE TO NIGERIA’S OUTGOING APOSTOLIC NUNCIO: MOST REV. ANTONIO GUIDO FILIPAZZI
A FAREWELL MESSAGE TO NIGERIA’S OUTGOING APOSTOLIC NUNCIO: MOST REV. ANTONIO GUIDO FILIPAZZI
On this day when we celebrate our Blessed Mother and Queen, I wish to offer heartfelt gratitude to God for using you as a great instrument of evangelization in Nigeria for the over six years you have served as Apostolic Nuncio. Your pastoral zeal was obvious as you travelled the nooks and crannies of Nigeria, by air, by road and by boat.
So much has happened since you were assigned on mission to Nigeria. Under your meticulous watch, hard work and facilitation, the Holy Father, Pope Francis, created more dioceses, appointed new Bishops and made significant changes that have shaped and accelerated pastoral growth in Nigeria. While serving in Nigeria, you were also appointed as a permanent observer at the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
Having been appointed by the Holy Father as Apostolic Nuncio to Poland, we pray for God’s flowing graces and blessings upon you in abundant measures. With the pastoral solicitude and commitment demonstrated in your work in Nigeria, there is no doubt that you will also do the same and even do more as a faithful messenger of the Pope in Poland, to support the Church to grow to higher heights.
We wish you a fruitful apostolate in Poland. You will be remembered with love and tenderness by us in Nigeria for your generosity of spirit, friendly disposition and selflessness in pastoral and spiritual service.
May God continue to be with you. When your time to depart Nigeria finally comes, we wish you a very safe journey; and we pray God to kindly allow you to continue enjoying very good health so as to continue serving the Church as you have done in Indonesia, Nigeria and now to serve in Poland. After Poland, may God lead you where he desires and wills.
Thank you for all you have been to us.
