Welcoming Canada's New Apostolic Nuncio to Ottawa

Archbishop Pedro Lopez Quintana, named as the Apostolic Nuncio to Canada on December 10, arrived in Ottawa yesterday to take up his duties.

While it will take some time to schedule a meeting with Governor General Michaelle Jean because of her other commitments, His Excellency will begin to feel comfortable in his new home, get to know his collaborators at the Nunciature and begin to meet the bishops of Canada.




Archbishop López Quintana served as Apostolic Nuncio, or the Vatican's ambassador, to India and Nepal from 2003 until his recent nomination. He succeeds Archbishop Luigi Ventura, who served in Ottawa from 2001 until his appointment as Nuncio to France in September.

Born in Barbastro, Spain, on July 27, 1953, López Quintana was ordained to the priesthood in 1980, entered the Holy See’s diplomatic service in 1984 and was ordained bishop in 2003. He has also served in the apostolic nunciatures of Madagascar, the Philippines and India, as well as in the Holy See’s Secretariat of State, where he served as Assessor for General Affairs.

The archbishop holds a Doctorate in Canon Law and speaks French, English, Italian and Portuguese in addition to Spanish.

In the late afternoon, I joined the staff of the Nunciature to travel to Ottawa International to welcome the Nuncio to our country and city. Some photos:

A striking painting serves as the backdrop for the welcoming delegation

Canadian consular official welcomes the Vatican's envoy

Relaxing in the diplomatic lounge while awaiting the arrival of luggage

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LENTEN MESSAGE ON YouTube



At the top right of this blog page, you will find posted an expression of my Lenten letter and encouragement of Lectio divina, produced by Ted Hurley, Ottawa's English-sector Youth Director.

A Lenten Prayer over the People inviting God's cleansing of the Church's catechumens and those renewing their baptismal commitment to Christ:

Keep guard over your people, Lord, and graciously cleanse them from all sins, for no adversity will harm them if no iniquity rules them. Through Christ our Lord.