Welcome to our new Nuncio, Archbishop Peter Wells

by Editor · February 17, 2016

The Church in Southern Africa will extend a warm welcome to Archbishop Peter Wells when he arrives in Pretoria to commence his service as papal nuncio to the Southern African region.

Archbishop Peter Wells, the new nuncio to Southern Africa. (Photo: Paul Haring/CNS)

In Archbishop Wells, Pope Francis has appointed a rising star in the Roman curia to our part of the world.

In his almost 14 years in the Vatican�s Secretariat of State � latterly as its fifth-ranking official � the newly-elevated archbishop has become a point-man for many Anglophone bishops, especially among his fellow Americans.

Pope Francis has in the past appointed him to handle delicate assignments, indicating the high regard in which the Holy Father holds the cleric who has served three popes in the Vatican.

While it is true that sometimes inconvenient curial officials are promoted out of the way � an act known as �promoveatur ut amoveatur� (promote to remove) � Archbishop Wells� appointment seems to be intended to invest in him the experience required for positions of greater responsibility.

Two former nuncios to South Africa went on to become curial leaders. Archbishop Edward Cassidy, the Australian who served as nuncio in Pretoria from 1981-84, became a cardinal in 1991 and headed the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity before his retirement in 2001. Portuguese Archbishop Manuel Monteira de Castro, here from 1998-2000, moved from Pretoria to the prestigious nunciature in Spain, and became a cardinal and the head of the Church�s Apostolic Penitentiary in 2012 (he retired the following year).

South Africa has had good recent experiences with American nuncios. The late Archbishop Ambrose de Paoli, here from 1988-97, was held in high esteem and is still remembered fondly.

Archbishop James Green, for whom South Africa was also a first appointment as nuncio, made a deep impression with his open personality and humour, and earned admiration for his work ethic.

A large number of Southern African bishops were appointed during the tenure of Archbishop Green, who presently serves in Peru. It is fair to say that Archbishop Green helped shape the present Church in Southern Africa.

Archbishop Wells will likewise influence the future of our local Church. Depending on the length of his tenure in Pretoria, he may be involved in the appointment of three of South Africa�s five archbishops.

Bishops are required to submit their resignations to the pope upon reaching the age of 75. While the pope may ask the incumbent to extend his service by a few years, the Holy See will nevertheless already consider the question of succession.

Cardinal Wilfrid Napier of Durban will turn 75 on March 8; Archbishop William Slattery of Pretoria will reach the age of 75 in 2018; Archbishop Jabulani Nxumalo of Bloemfontein in 2019. Even if Archbishop Wells� tenure in Southern Africa turns out to be a short three years, he will be involved in planning the succession in all three archdioceses�aside from the other dioceses that may fall vacant during his time here.

As ambassador to South Africa, Archbishop Wells arrives at a time when the country is approaching a crossroads.

A weak economy in an environment marked by stark inequality is likely to give rise to social unrest, some of which we have already witnessed. Moreover, it is conceivable that President Jacob Zuma may not see out his presidential term as his position is becoming increasingly untenable.

The new nuncio will doubtless follow these developments with acute interest. In doing so, he will surely benefit from the exemplary work of the bishops� Catholic Parliamentary Liaison Office, an innovation which has attracted the interest of many bishops� conferences around the world.

Archbishop Wells will need the keen support of all in the local Church with whom he will interact. He will encounter a people who are hospitable, and who always enjoy meeting the papal nuncio.

By all accounts, Archbishop Wells is an approachable man with a good sense of humour and a level head. These are qualities which Southern Africans appreciate.

With the Church in the countries of his first posting as apostolic nuncio � Botswana, South Africa, Swaziland � The Southern Cross congratulates Archbishop Wells on his appointment. We wish him God�s richest blessings as he prepares to take on the significant task of representing the pope and the Holy See in our region.