By The Partner Newspaper

Most Rev. Michael F. Crotty; the newly appointed Apostolic Nuncio to Nigeria, has arrived in the country on Wednesday October 23, 2024. Recall that the Nuncio was appointed by Pope Francis on 16^th July 2024, and this marks a significant development in the diplomatic relations between the Holy See and Nigeria.

Subsequently, the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) welcomed him into Abuja through a delegation lead by the Vice President of CBCN Archbishop Matthew Ndagoso. Others are John Cardinal Onaiyekan, Bishops Anselm Umoren, Oliver Doeme, Moses Ckiwe.

Archbishop Crotty brings a wealth of experience to his new role, having served in various diplomatic positions for the Holy See, including Kenya, Canada, Iraq, Jordan, Spain, Burkina Faso, and Niger. His appointment is seen as a testament to the strong spiritual bond between Nigeria and Ireland, as he becomes the first Irish Apostolic Nuncio to Nigeria.

The CBCN expresses her gratitude to Pope Francis and assures him of their full support and cooperation as the Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Crotty will serve as the representative of the Holy See to Nigeria, fostering greater collaboration and understanding between the Catholic Church and the Nigerian government.

Michael Crotty was born in Mallow, County Cork, on 26 March 1970, to Timothy and Mary Crotty, and grew up in Skeheen, Mitchelstown. He attended primary school at Ballygiblin National School and secondary school at the Christian Brothers school in Mitchelstown. Crotty studied for the priesthood at St Patrick’s College, Maynooth, completing a Bachelor of Arts in anthropology and modern history from the National University of Ireland in 1990 and a Bachelor of Divinity from the Pontifical University in 1993.

He was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Cloyne on 3 July 1994. Following ordination, Crotty was appointed to further studies at the Pontifical Irish College and the Pontifical Gregorian University, Rome, completing a licentiate in ecclesiastical history at the Pontifical Gregorian University in 1997, a licentiate in canon law in 1999 and a doctorate in ecclesiastical history in 2001.

He was appointed Chaplain of His Holiness, by Pope Benedict XVI in 2005, and subsequently as Prelate of Honour of His Holiness by Pope Francis in 2014.

In 2004 he was appointed secretary of the Apostolic Nunciature to Canada, and in 2007 first secretary of the Apostolic Nunciatures to Iraq and Jordan. In 2009 he was appointed to the Section for Relations with States of the Secretariat of State of the Holy See, and in 2017 first counsellor of the Apostolic Nunciature to Spain.

On 16 July 2024, Crotty was appointed as Apostolic Nuncio to Nigeria by Pope Francis