The University of Aberdeen today (Wednesday, October 11) welcomed His Excellency Archbishop Faustino Sainz Muñoz, the Apostolic Nuncio on his first visit to the city since his appointment in 2004.
The Nuncio is the permanent diplomatic representative of the Holy See to Great Britain and was appointed in December 2004.
The visit by the Nuncio continues the prestigious history of links with the Catholic Church since the University’s papal foundation over 500 years ago.
The Nuncio visited the University and was accompanied by The Rt Rev Peter A Moran, Bishop of Aberdeen. Professor Peter Davidson, Chair in Renaissance Studies, acting as University Orator, provided a welcome address in Latin. They then participated in a short ceremony at King’s College Chapel where the Nuncio paused for a moment of silent prayer at University founder Bishop Elphinstone’s tomb before being officially welcomed by Professor C Duncan Rice, Principal and Vice Chancellor at the University.
The Nuncio visited the University’s Special Collections, which provided a unique insight into the rich history of the Catholic tradition at the University, which was founded by Bishop William Elphinstone by papal decree. On display were items from Bishop Elphinstone’s own library dating back to the fifteenth Century, including some rare textbooks on Canon Law in which the Nuncio holds his own doctorate.
The Nuncio also met the University’s Catholic community at a reception to be held at the Catholic Chaplaincy.
Professor C Duncan Rice was looking forward to the visit and said: “We are delighted to be welcoming His Excellency the Apostolic Nuncio to the University of Aberdeen.
“As an Institution with a papal foundation, the visit of His Excellency will provide an excellent opportunity for the University to celebrate everything that our Catholic foundation has given us and to ensure links with the Catholic Church remain an important part of our present and future.”
Rt Rev Peter A Moran, Bishop of Aberdeen, said: “As a graduate of the University of Aberdeen, and successor to Bishop Elphinstone as bishop, I am privileged and delighted to accompany His Excellency to my Alma Mater. We are deeply grateful to the Principal for his invitation and his welcome.”