Nunciature to Great Britain
Encyclopedia
The Nunciature
to Great Britain is an ecclesiastical office of the Roman Catholic Church
in Great Britain
. It is a diplomatic
post of the Holy See
, whose representative is called the Apostolic Nuncio
to the Court of St. James with the rank of an ambassador
. The office of the nunciature is located in London
, lying within the Archdiocese of Southwark
and overlooking Wimbledon Common
. The Nuncio to Great Britain is also the papal representative to Gibraltar.
Formal diplomatic relations between the UK and the Holy See began in 1914, as an Apostolic Delegation. The Apostolic Delegation to Great Britain was promoted to the rank of an Apostolic Nunciature by Pope John Paul II
in 1982.
The current Apostolic Nuncio to Great Britain is His Most Reverend Excellency Antonio Mennini
, who was appointed by Pope Benedict XVI
on 18 December 2010.
Nuncio
Nuncio is an ecclesiastical diplomatic title, derived from the ancient Latin word, Nuntius, meaning "envoy." This article addresses this title as well as derived similar titles, all within the structure of the Roman Catholic Church...
to Great Britain is an ecclesiastical office of the Roman Catholic Church
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
in Great Britain
Great Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
. It is a diplomatic
Diplomat
A diplomat is a person appointed by a state to conduct diplomacy with another state or international organization. The main functions of diplomats revolve around the representation and protection of the interests and nationals of the sending state, as well as the promotion of information and...
post of the Holy See
Holy See
The Holy See is the episcopal jurisdiction of the Catholic Church in Rome, in which its Bishop is commonly known as the Pope. It is the preeminent episcopal see of the Catholic Church, forming the central government of the Church. As such, diplomatically, and in other spheres the Holy See acts and...
, whose representative is called the Apostolic Nuncio
Nuncio
Nuncio is an ecclesiastical diplomatic title, derived from the ancient Latin word, Nuntius, meaning "envoy." This article addresses this title as well as derived similar titles, all within the structure of the Roman Catholic Church...
to the Court of St. James with the rank of an ambassador
Ambassador
An ambassador is the highest ranking diplomat who represents a nation and is usually accredited to a foreign sovereign or government, or to an international organization....
. The office of the nunciature is located in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, lying within the Archdiocese of Southwark
Archdiocese of Southwark
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Southwark is a Latin Rite Roman Catholic archdiocese in England. The Archepiscopal see is St. George's Cathedral, Southwark and is headed by the Archbishop of Southwark...
and overlooking Wimbledon Common
Wimbledon and Putney Commons
Wimbledon Common is a large open space in Wimbledon south-west London, totalling 460 hectares . There are three named areas: Wimbledon Common, Putney Heath, and Putney Lower Common which together are managed under the name Wimbledon and Putney Commons...
. The Nuncio to Great Britain is also the papal representative to Gibraltar.
Formal diplomatic relations between the UK and the Holy See began in 1914, as an Apostolic Delegation. The Apostolic Delegation to Great Britain was promoted to the rank of an Apostolic Nunciature by Pope John Paul II
Pope John Paul II
Blessed Pope John Paul II , born Karol Józef Wojtyła , reigned as Pope of the Catholic Church and Sovereign of Vatican City from 16 October 1978 until his death on 2 April 2005, at of age. His was the second-longest documented pontificate, which lasted ; only Pope Pius IX ...
in 1982.
The current Apostolic Nuncio to Great Britain is His Most Reverend Excellency Antonio Mennini
Antonio Mennini
Antonio Mennini is an Italian prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He serves as the Nuncio to Great Britain from 18 December 2010, having been appointed by Pope Benedict XVI.-Biography:...
, who was appointed by Pope Benedict XVI
Pope Benedict XVI
Benedict XVI is the 265th and current Pope, by virtue of his office of Bishop of Rome, the Sovereign of the Vatican City State and the leader of the Catholic Church as well as the other 22 sui iuris Eastern Catholic Churches in full communion with the Holy See...
on 18 December 2010.
List of Apostolic Delegates and Nuncios to Great Britain
- William Godfrey (1938 - 1953)
- Gerald Patrick Aloysius O'HaraGerald Patrick Aloysius O'HaraGerald Patrick Aloysius O'Hara was an American prelate of the Catholic Church. He served as Bishop of Savannah , Apostolic Nuncio to Ireland , and Apostolic Delegate to Great Britain ....
(1954 - 1963) - Igino Eugenio CardinaleIgino Eugenio CardinaleArchbishop Igino Eugenio Cardinale Was a titular archbishop of Nafta, Tunisia and apostolic nuncio to Belgium and Luxembourg....
(1963 - 1969) - Domenico Enrici (1969 - 1973)
- Bruno HeimBruno HeimBruno Bernard Heim was the Vatican's first Apostolic Nuncio to Britain and was one of the most prominent armorists of twentieth century ecclesiastical heraldry. He published five books on heraldry and was responsible for designing the coats of arms of four popes...
(1973 - 1985) - Luigi BarbaritoLuigi BarbaritoLuigi Barbarito, is a Italian prelate of the Roman Catholic Church.Luigi Barbarito was born in Atripalda and ordained a priest on August 20, 1944. Barbarito was appointed titular bishop of the Fiorentino as well as Apostolic Nuncio of Haiti on June 10, 1969; ordained a bishop on August 11, 1969...
(1986 - 1997) - Pablo Puente Buces (1997 - 2004)
- Faustino Sainz MuñozFaustino Sainz MuñozFaustino Sainz Muñoz is a Spanish prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as the Nuncio to Great Britain from 2004 until December 2010, having been appointed by Pope John Paul II in 2004.-Biography:...
(2004 - 18 December 2010) - Antonio MenniniAntonio MenniniAntonio Mennini is an Italian prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He serves as the Nuncio to Great Britain from 18 December 2010, having been appointed by Pope Benedict XVI.-Biography:...
(18 December 2010 - )
See also
- List of diplomatic missions of the Holy See
- List of Ambassadors from the United Kingdom to the Holy See
- Holy See – United Kingdom relations