New papal nuncio faces major challenges in England

March 24, 2011

Anna Arco of London's Catholic Herald interviews Archbishop Antonio Mennini, the new apostolic nuncio to Great Britain. The interview is noteworthy for two reasons.

• Archbishop Mennini recounts his work as papal nuncio in Russia, where he managed--fairly successfully, it seems--the delicate relations between the Catholic dioceses and the Orthodox patriarchate of Moscow, helping to build up the Catholic Church while simultaneously improving ecumenical relations.
• The appointment of such a seasoned and proven Vatican diplomat to London suggests that the Vatican recognizes the enormous challenge involved in implementing Anglicanorum Coetibus, while avoiding a breach in relations with the Church of England--and, for that matter, coping with the resistance from the Catholic bishops of England.

 

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Further information:

• Interview with new Apostolic Nuncio to Great Britain: full transcript (Catholic Herald)