By: Adolf Washington
Bengaluru: The newly appointed Apostolic Nuncio to India and Nepal, His Excellency Giambattista Diquattro was cordially received and welcomed on May 1 by the Archbishop Most. Rev. Dr. Bernard Moras and the members of the Archdiocesan Curia at the Archbishop’s house.
The Papal ambassador, who was appointed on January 21, 2017 was warmly greeted with a bouquet, a garland and an Indian shawl by the Archbishop in the presence of Vicars General Rev. Monsignor S Jayanathan, Monsignor C Francis, Chancellor Fr. A S Anthonyswamy, Financial Administrator Fr. Martin Kumar, Secretary to the Archbishop Fr. Selva Kumar and the National Biblical, Catechetical and Biblical Centre (NBCLC) Director Fr. Sagayaraj John. The ambassador expressed great joy over being in India. “I always admire the faith, fervor and devotion of the Catholics in India and it is certainly a joy to be here” he said.
Archbishop Moras, who is the spiritual head to over four million Catholics, briefed the Nuncio of the various pastoral and spiritual initiatives in the Archdiocese.
His Excellency Giambattista Diquattro was in Bengaluru to preside over the Eucharistic and golden jubilee celebrations of the NBCLC held on May 2. He will also preside over a concelebrated High mass at the Infant Jesus Shrine on May 4.
The Italian Archbishop, who joined the Vatican Diplomatic service in 1985 has since served in several key positions as Apostolic Nuncio to Bolivia, diplomatic positions in the pontifical representations of the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Chad, Vatican Secretariat of state, as Vatican representative in the UN in New York, in the Apostolic Nunciature in Italy and also as Apostolic Nuncio of Panama.
The Prelate speaks fluent Italian, French, Spanish and English.