DIMAPUR OCT 18 (MExN): His Excellency Most Reverend Pedro Lopez Quinatana, the Vatican Ambassador and the Apostolic Nuncio to India will be visiting Nagaland from October 24-26. The visit will mark the completion of the Holy Eucharistic year of the Catholic Church. According to a communique by Fr.Francis Cheerangal the Catholic Church in Nagaland will welcome the ambassador at Khuzama on the 24th, and would be treated to a cultural extravaganza at St.Joseph College, Jakhama.
The Ambassador would be received at the Cathedral Church, Kohima accompanied by the Cathedral Parishioners in traditional attire. Accordingly on October 25 the holy liturgical celebration is scheduled for 9.30 at the Cathedral followed by a public reception, in the presence of Rt. Reverend Jose Mukala, Bishop of Nagaland, His Excellency Shyamal Datta, Governor of Nagaland and Neiphiu Rio, Chief Minister of Nagaland as well as representative churches, civil and other dignitaries.
“The gathering of all with the Nuncio, as the representative of Pope, the visible head of Christ’s church, will be replica of the perfect church. All stand to experience the grace of it” stated the communique. “This visit in no way is a political programme,” says Fr. Sabu, the Coordinator, “but it is like a Shepherd caressing his flock”. The church in Nagaland will hold it as a treasure, for not often does this happen he was quoted as saying.
A Papal Nuncio (Apostolic Nuncio) is a permanent diplomatic representative (head of mission) of the ‘Holy See’ to a state, having ambassadorial rank. The Holy See is the legal body that conducts diplomatic relations for the Vatican City.
