It’s claimed the county of Clare is bursting with pride this week as a son of Ennis prepares to take up papal office later this month.
It follows a Mayoral Reception held at Áras Chontae An Chláir to honour Archbishop Seamus Horgan who will soon become the Pope’s first ever personal representative in South Sudan.
An occasion in the council chamber that will likely never be seen again as the flags of Ireland, South Sudan and Vatican City flew proudly together beneath a chorus of ‘My Lovely Rose of Clare’.
The event marked the end of a whirlwind couple of days for Ennis’ Seamus Horgan who only last week was consecrated as Titular Archbishop to Árd Stratha in County Tyrone at a ceremony in Ennis Cathedral.
Now though, his excellency embarks on a new and formidable challenge, as later this month he’ll take up residence in the city of Juba to officially commence his duties as the first ever Apostolic Papal Nuncio to South Sudan.
It’s the youngest country in the world and since it’s establishment in 2012, it has been ravaged by civil war and famine which has claimed more than half a million lives.
Archbishop Horgan insists he’s well aware of the task that lies ahead and is hopeful his previous experience in the region will stand to him.
Clare will not be forgotten for the new papal nuncio even when he takes up his post 10,000km away.
For his official coat of arms, Archbishop Horgan has included the galleon ship from the old crest of the Ennis Town Council and the key of the Killaloe Diocese.
During the reception, councillors took the opportunity to express their personal memories, including Cllr Pat Daly who once served alongside the now Archbishop, and Leas Cathaoirleach Mary Howard, who’s a family friend.
Cllr Howard says the entire county is bursting with pride to have it’s own aspiring star in the Vatican.
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