THE Apostolic Nuncio of the Holy See to Solomon Islands has presented his letter of credence to the Acting Governor General, Patterson Oti, at Government House.
Archbishop (Apostolic Nuncio) Fremin Emilio Sosa Rodriguez was recently appointed as the Holy See’s representative to Solomon Islands with residence in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea (PNG).
In delivering his letter of credentials on Thursday, the Apostolic Nuncio said he brings to the Solomon Islands the cordial and fatherly greetings and fervent best wishes of His Holiness Pope Francis.
He said the diplomatic relationship between Solomon Islands and the Holy See had been reinforced in the past 39 years through cooperation and mutual respect.
“With this same spirit, Pope Francis desires to maintain his close cooperation with this noble nation and to ensure his continued collaboration in promoting human development and the common good through the Catholic Church.
The Apostolic Nuncio stressed that the Catholic Church in Solomon Islands has been in the foreground in giving special contribution in the fields of spiritual guidance, education and health institutions.
He stressed that The Holy See, in the international and diplomatic fields, has the grave commitment to be engaged in the pursuit of the promotion of peace and harmony among nations and peoples and to help in the domestic tranquility and progress of each country.
“This can be achieved only when we all work together for the integral human development, including the spiritual growth, safeguarding the personal dignity and the authentic human advancement,” the Apostolic Nuncio added.
The Apostolic Nuncio remarked that the Catholic Church is willing to cooperate in bringing to the people of Solomon Islands, the integral development needed to achieve a more just and engaged society.
Acting Governor-General, Sir Patterson, in response accepted the letter of credence introducing Archbishop Fremin Emilio Sosa Rodriguez as Apostolic Nuncio to Solomon Islands.
Sir Patteson made mention of the greetings and fervent wishes of His Holiness Pope Francis to the Government and people of Solomon Islands and in turn offered greetings and prosperity to His Holiness, the Holy See and the Catholic Church.
He uttered his most utmost confidence in the new Apostolic Nuncio as a learned ecclesiastical diplomat serving the Holy See, to continue to maintain and further strengthen the two States relations, which is centred on mutual respect and admiration.
Sir Patteson said the Holy See’s support and engagement with Solomon Islands is impactful and this is evident through the significant contributions and role of the Catholic Church in the country.
The Holy See is the Central Government of the Catholic Church led by His Holiness, Pope Francis, as Bishop of Rome and Head of the Catholic Church.
The Holy See has preeminent jurisdiction over the Catholic Church and sovereignty over Vatican City, the City State located within Rome, Italy, and serves as the seat of the Pope.
Solomon Islands and the Holy See established diplomatic relations on 6 June 1985 with its Apostolic Nunciature (Embassy of the Holy See) in Port Moresby being accredited to Solomon Islands.
