London, 20 January 2017. The Apostolic Nuncio to the Court of St James’s, HE Archbishop Antonio Mennini, will be transferred to Rome in February to serve in the Secretariat of State of the Holy See after his six years as the Holy See’s highest ranking diplomat to the Court of St James’s.
His Eminence Vincent, Cardinal Nichols said: “On behalf of the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, and in the name of the entire Catholic community, I express our warmest thanks to His Excellency for the service he has given to the Church in our countries.
“He has been most attentive and sensitive to our needs and situation, while always representing the Holy Father with precision and clarity and sharing insights into the needs of the Universal Church.
“His presence amongst us bishops has always been that of a brother and we have never failed to appreciate his kindness and hospitality.
“We now wish him well in his new appointment to which he will bring insight and wisdom. We assure him of our prayers for this mission and for his own health and well-being.”
His Excellency was invested into the Constantinian Order at a ceremony held at the Apostolic Nunciature in London in June 2012 during which the Delegate for Great Britain and Ireland, HE Mr Anthony Bailey, presented on behalf of the Grand Master and the Cardinal Grand Prior the Archbishop Mennini with the insignia of an Ecclesiastical Knight Grand Cross of Grace of the Constantinian Order. His Excellency has also been a regular and most welcomed attendee at many Delegation events and masses.