Friday, February 15, 2013

Pope Benedict appoints new representative

Pope Benedict XVI has posted a new Apostolic Nuncio to Uganda, replacing Korean-born Archbishop Paul Tschang In-Nam who has served in the country since 2007. 
Archbishop Michael A. Blume’s appointment took effect on February 2, 2013, according to a communication from Fr. Philip Odii, the national executive secretary of social communications at the Uganda Catholic Secretariat, Nsambya.

Until his posting to Uganda, Archbishop Blume has been Apostolic Nuncio to Benin and Togo. 

Born on May 30, 1946 in South Bend (Indiana), United States of America, he was ordained a religious priest for the Society of Divine Word (S.V.D.) on December 23, 1972.

Posts held

 
The new Nuncio holds a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and a doctorate degree in Theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University, Rome. 

Immediately after his doctorate studies, he was assigned professor of Theology at the Regional Seminary in Cape Coast, Ghana from 1975 to 1983.

He then became Provincial Superior of the Society of Divine Word (S.V.D.) in Ghana, Benin and Togo from 1983 to 1990 before appointment to secretary general of the Society in Rome from 1990 to 1994.

On April 1, 1995 he started working at the Pontifical Council for Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People, Vatican City. On April 6, 2000 he was appointed under-secretary of the same Pontifical Council.
 

On 24 August 24, 2005 he was appointed Apostolic Nuncio to Benin and Togo.

The Pope’s new ambassador to Uganda, aside from English, is also fluent in Italian and French. 


A Nuncio is the top most apostolic envoy of the Holy See (Pope) and also serves as the ambassador of the Vatican wherever posted.