Nuncio makes official visit to Guyana, presents credentials to President

Archbishop Santiago De Wit Guzmán, the Apostolic Nuncio to the Antilles, visited the Diocese of Georgetown from March 18 to Sunday 23. An Apostolic Nuncio is a diplomatic representative of the Vatican to a foreign country. This role is equivalent to that of an ambassador, but specifically for the Holy See. Archbishop De Wit Guzmán was appointed Apostolic Nuncio to Trinidad and Tobago, Antigua and Barbuda, Belize, Grenada, Guyana, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, The Bahamas, Barbados, Dominica, Jamaica, and St Lucia in 2022.

Guyana formally established diplomatic relations with the Holy See June 9, 1997.

A Catholic Standard report said that the Archbishop was accompanied on his visit to Guyana by Fr Josue Frederic Ilboudo, Secretary to the Nunciature and Deputy Head of Mission. A welcome Mass was celebrated at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Brickdam, Georgetown, March 18.

The Archbishop presented his letters of credence to President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali and Dr Carla Barnett, Secretary-General of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) on March 19. That same evening, he celebrated the Feast Day Mass of St Joseph, Husband of Mary church, Little Diamond, East Bank Demerara.

“On Thursday he visited the Catholic Migrant Office where he interacted with the staff. Later that day, he visited Marian Academy, a Catholic school managed by the Ursuline Sisters. During his visit, he met with Principal Sr Shelly Jhetto OSU, as well as the staff and students of Marian Academy,” said the local news source.

Arriving at St Ignatius, Central Rupununi on Friday, March 21, Archbishop De Wit Guzmán interacted with the faithful and celebrated Holy Mass. Before Mass, he and Fr Josue were welcomed by the Toshao, followed by a traditional welcome dance. The Mass on Friday afternoon at St Francis Borgia church, Potarinau, South Central Rupununi, Region 9, was “well attended”, with Catholics joining in the celebration.

The Archbishop returned to Georgetown on Saturday and celebrated Mass Sunday at Our Lady of the Annunciation Church, Region 3, before his departure.