Vatican Ambassador to Sierra Leone takes formal leave of the Minister of Foreign Affairs

The Apostolic Nuncio (Vatican Ambassador) to Sierra Leone with residence in Monrovia, Liberia, His Excellency Archbishop Miroslaw Adamczyk, accompanied by the Conference of Catholic Bishops in Sierra Leone, has taken formal leave of the Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Dr. Samura M.W. Kamara at the Ministry’s Tower Hill Office, Freetown.

His Excellency Archbishop Miroslaw Adamczyk on behalf of the Holy Sea (Pope), extended sincere condolences and solidarity to the Government and people of Sierra Leone following the Ebola scourge, the recent floods and mudslide disaster in the country. The Apostolic Nuncio expressed gratitude for the bilateral cooperation between Sierra Leone and the Vatican. ‘My principal function was to strengthen and deepen the bilateral relations between the Republic of Sierra Leone and the Holy Sea; and to foster close relations with the conference of Bishops by offering assistance in various ways’, His Excellency Archbishop Miroslaw Adamczyk added.

The Apostolic Nuncio outlined some of the tremendous contributions of the Catholic Church in Sierra Leone, particularly in the areas of education, health and other social services, which are clear testimonies of the invaluable service of the Catholic Church in the country. He prayed for lasting peace and a peaceful conduct of the forthcoming general elections in the country.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Dr. Samura M.W. Kamara expressed profound thanks and appreciation for the numerous contributions of the Catholic Community toward national cohesion and social development, including the consoling messages during trying moments in the country. ‘The spirit of the local community being together is our hope’, he added. Dr. Samura Kamara extended felicitations to His Holiness, Pope Francis, and assured the Catholic Nuncio of his Ministry’s support to the Catholic Church in Sierra Leone.

It could be recalled that HE Archbishop Miroslaw Adamczyk was appointed on the 21st September 2013 as the Apostolic Nuncio to the Republic of Sierra Leone (with residence in Monrovia); and successfully presented his letters of credence to His Excellency Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma on the 13th February 2014.

Present at the ceremony were: the Archbishop of Freetown, Rev. Dr. Edward Tamba Charles; the Auxiliary Bishop of Kenema, Rev. Henry Aruna; the Apostolic Administrator of Makeni, Bishop Natale Paganelli, the Secretary of the Nunciature, Fr. Giovanni Bicchierri; Secretary to the Archbishop, Rev. Fr. Joseph D. Miller; the Acting Director General, Dr. Michael S. Kargbo and Directors of various Divisions and Heads of Sections of the Ministry.