Monsignor Séamus Horgan greeting Pope Francis in Saint Peter’s Square, Vatican City
- Statement of Bishop Fintan Monahan on the announcement by Pope Francis of the appointment of Right Reverend Monsignor Séamus Horgan as the new Apostolic Nuncio to South Sudan
The Holy Father Pope Francis has appointed Monsignor Séamus Horgan, a priest of the diocese of Killaloe, as the Apostolic Nuncio to South Sudan. The news of this episcopal appointment will be made public this morning at 11.00am Ireland time (12.00pm in Rome).
Welcoming this appointment, Bishop Fintan Monahan, Bishop of Killaloe, 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, Co Tyrone.
“A native of Ennis, past pupil of Saint Flannan’s College, Monsignor Séamus was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Michael Harty thirty years ago, in 1994, in the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul, Ennis, Co Clare.
“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. 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!
“Saints Matthias, Flannan and Senan pray for him.”
He entered Saint Patrick’s College, Maynooth in 1987. After completing a BA (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 11 June 1994.
Following six years of pastoral ministry in his Diocese, he was sent to Rome in the year 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.
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 and in 2019 a Prelate of Honour. Monsignor Horgan speaks English, Italian & French; he has a working knowledge of German.
