Outgoing Nuncio in Liberia, Sierra Leone and The Gambia Hailed as Visible Bridge With Holy See

He also urged the Catholic community to preserve the spirit of service, dialogue and synodality demonstrated by the outgoing Nuncio.

“His legacy is one of faithful witness to the Gospel, a pastoral heart attuned to the cries of the poor, and a diplomatic voice that championed the values of the Kingdom of God in the public square,” Archbishop Jubwe said.

The Catholic Church in Liberia expressed prayers for the Vatican diplomat’s health, safety and continued effectiveness in ministry as he prepares to leave West Africa for his new diplomatic assignment in Indonesia and Asia.

Archbishop Jubwe entrusted the outgoing Nuncio to God’s care and thanked him for all he had done for the Catholic Church and people of Liberia, Sierra Leone and The Gambia.

In his farewell remarks, Archbishop Erbi responded with a message centered on gratitude, humility and dependence on God.

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Reflecting on his first opportunity to address the Catholic Church in Liberia in November 2022, Erbi recalled that he had asked the faithful to pray for him and for the wisdom, strength and courage needed to exercise his ministry.

Nearly four years later, he said, his overriding feeling was gratitude.

“Today only one word comes to my mind, and the word is gratitude,” Archbishop Erbi said, attributing whatever good had been accomplished during his mission first to God.

He thanked God, the Holy Father, the Catholic Bishops Conference of Liberia (CABICOL), the Bishops, Priests, religious, seminarians and lay faithful for their cooperation and support.

The outgoing Nuncio specifically expressed gratitude to Archbishop Jubwe for welcoming him to Monrovia, first while serving as diocesan administrator and later as Archbishop, and for making himself available to support initiatives of the Apostolic Nunciature.

Archbishop Erbi expressed hope that the Interterritorial Catholic Bishops Conference of Sierra Leone and The Gambia and the CABICOL would eventually merge into a single Bishops Conference.

He also credited Liberia’s authorities, including the Presidency, Legislature, Judiciary, Cabinet and Ministry of Foreign Affairs, for their cooperation during his diplomatic mission.

The Nuncio acknowledged members of the diplomatic corps, describing the diplomatic community as an important source of knowledge and understanding about Liberia and its people.

He reserved special appreciation for the staff and religious community working at the Apostolic Nunciature in Monrovia, noting that the mission relies on a relatively small team comprising a diplomatic collaborator who also serves as Deputy Chief of Mission, religious sisters from the Congregation of the Clarissan Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament, and other employees.

Archbishop Erbi emphasized that the work of the Nunciature could not be effectively carried out without their dedication and cooperation.

The farewell reception also provided an opportunity for representatives of Catholic fraternal organizations and associations to express their appreciation to the outgoing Nuncio.

Members of the Knights and Dames of St. John, Knights and Dames of Malta and other Catholic fraternal and lay associations joined the gathering, recognizing Erbi’s friendship, accessibility and service to the Church.

The Archdiocesan Catholic Women Organisation also joined the expressions of appreciation, reflecting the gratitude of Catholic women for the Nuncio’s pastoral presence and encouragement during his mission.