Today in Rome Pope Francis nominated a Killaloe priest, Monsignor Séamus Horgan, as Apostolic Nuncio to South Sudan and at the same time name him as Titular Archbishop of Árd Sratha.
A native of Tobarteascáin near St. Flannan’s College where he completed his secondary schooling, Monsignor Horgan entered St Patrick’s College Maynooth in 1987 before being ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Michael Harty in 1994 at the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul in Ennis.
He is currently First Counsellor at the Apostolic Nunciature in Washington D.C. and has previously held Diplomatic Service of the Holy See rolls in Uganda, Switzerland, The Philippines and Italy.
Commenting on the appointment, Bishop of Killaloe Dr. Fintan Monahan said, “I warmly congratulate Monsignor Séamus Horgan on his appointment by Pope Francis to be Nuncio to South Sudan based in the city of Juba. He is also appointed to the titular See of Árd Sratha – Ardstraw, County Tyrone.”
Bishop Monahan continued, “Monsignor Horgan brings a wealth of pastoral and practical experience with him to his new role. A conscientious, diligent and prayerful pastor, his engagement with people is marked with great kindness and courtesy. He served with distinction in his appointments at local level in Bodyke and Roscrea in the diocese and in his various appointments since he entered the diplomatic service.”
“I wish Monsignor Horgan every good wish and blessing in his important role and assure him of the prayers of the faithful of Killaloe Diocese,” added Bishop Monahan. “At this time there are three Apostolic Nuncios, originally from Ireland, in active diplomatic service for the Universal Church – and here in Killaloe we are very proud of the fact that two of them are natives of our diocese.”
St. Flannan’s College Principal Fr. Iggy McCormack said, “This episcopal appointment is a tremendous honour for Monsignor Séamus and for our school. We are very proud of what he has achieved in his ministry to date during which time he has served as Secretary of the Apostolic Nunciatures in Kampala, Berne and Manila, as well as working at the Secretariat of State in Rome from 2015 to 2020 before assuming his current role in the United States.”
“This is the first time in many decades that a Papal Nuncio has emanated from our alumni. The students and staff of St Flannan’s College wish Monsignor Séamus the very best for the future,” added Fr. McCormack.
Following six years of pastoral ministry in the Diocese of Killaloe Diocese, Monsignor Séamus Horgan was sent to Rome 2000 for further studies. After completing a Licence in Canon Law (Pontifical Gregorian University), he joined the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy in Rome to prepare for the service of the Holy See. In 2008 he was appointed a Chaplain of His Holiness and in 2019 a Prelate of Honour. Monsignor Horgan speaks English, Italian & French and has a working knowledge of German.
Bishop Ger Nash, who previously served as a priest in the Diocese of Killaloe, has also welcomed the news of Monsignor Horgan’s appointment.
The Bishop of Ferns said: “I wish to offer my warmest congratulations to Monsignor Séamus Horgan who has been appointed as the Apostolic Nuncio to South Sudan. I have known Monsignor Séamus for many years, both of us having previously served as priests in the Diocese of Killaloe.
Monsignor Séamus has a very distinguished record of service in various roles in Killaloe diocese as well as in the service of the wider Church having worked in Kampala, Berne, Manila, Rome, and Washington.
I wish Monsignor Séamus every success and happiness in his new role and pray that both he, and the people that he will serve will be richly blessed and continue to grow and strengthen as God’s faithful people.
Born in Ennis (Ireland) in 1969, Séamus Horgan attended the local primary school, before completing his secondary schooling at St Flannan’s College, Ennis.
He entered St Patrick’s College, Maynooth in 1987. After completing a B.A. (National University of Ireland) in 1990 and a Baccalaureate in Theology (Pontifical University, Maynooth) in 1993, he was ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of Killaloe on June 11th, 1994.
Following six years of pastoral ministry in his Diocese in the parishes of Bodyke and Roscrea, he was sent to Rome in the year 2000 for further studies. After completing a Licence in Canon Law (Pontifical Gregorian University), he entered the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy in Rome to prepare for the service of the Holy See.
Upon completion of his doctoral studies in Canon Law in 2005, he entered the Diplomatic Service of the Holy See and has served in the following capacities:
Attaché and then Secretary of the Apostolic Nunciature in Kampala (2005-2008);
Secretary of the Apostolic Nunciature in Berne (2008-2012);
Secretary and then Counsellor of the Apostolic Nunciature in Manila (2012-2015)
Minutante (Desk Officer) in the II Section of the Secretariat of State in Rome (2015-2020)
First Counselor at the Apostolic Nunciature in Washington (2020-present).
In 2008 he was appointed a Chaplain of His Holiness & in 2019 a Prelate of Honour.
Msgr Horgan speaks English, Italian & French; he has a working knowledge of German.
