THE NEW PAPAL NUNCIO to Ireland is one of three ambassadors to have formally taken office after presenting their letters of credence to President Higgins this morning.
The most reverend Charles J Brown presented his credentials to the president at Áras an Úachtaráin this morning.
He was accompanied by the Reverend Juan Antonio Cruz Serrano, the first secretary at the Nunciature in Dublin.
Other ambassadors being presented today were Lbujisa Stankovic, the ambassador of Montenegro, and Mazen K Homoud, the ambassador of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. The latter two ambassadors were accompanied by their wives.
The government was presented by Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore, in his capacity as minister for Foreign Affairs, as well as David Cooney, who is the secretary-general at the Department and also Ireland’s new non-resident ambassador to the Holy See.
The ambassadors were escorted to and from the Áras by an escort of honour with a motorcycle detachment from the 2nd Cavalry Squadron from Cathal Brugha Barracks, commanded by Lieutenant Claire Mortimer.
The Guard of Honour was provided at Áras an Uachtaráin by troops drawn from the 3rd Infantry Battalion, Defence Forces Training Centre, under the command of Lieutenant Daire Roache.
The Army No. 1 Band was conducted by Captain Declan Whitston.
The new Nuncio was formally made a bishop by Pope Benedict XVI on January 6. Details of his appointment were confirmed in late November.
He fills the vacancy left by the departure of the previous Nuncio, Giuseppe Leanza, in July. Leanza is now the Papal Nuncio to the Czech Republic.
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