After earning a doctorate in theology, he entered the diplomatic service of the Holy See in 1979. His postings included Argentina, Haiti, Bangladesh, Portugal, Peru, Trinidad and Tobago, Algeria, Tunisia, and Mauritius.
Pope John Paul II appointed him
titular archbishop of
Caesarea in Numidia and Apostolic Nuncio to
Tunisia and
Algeria on 26 May 1998. He was the first black African to hold the title of apostolic nuncio. He received his episcopal consecration on 22 August in
Rubaga Cathedral from Cardinal
Emmanuel Wamala. On 22 April 2004, Pope John Paul named him Apostolic Nuncio to
Madagascar and the
Seychelles and
Apostolic Delegate to Comoros and
Réunion. On 9 June 2004, to those responsibilities were added those of the Nuncio to Mauritius. On 2 February 2010,
Pope Benedict XVI appointed him Apostolic Nuncio to
Nigeria.
Pope Francis, on 13 December 2013, added to his responsibilities the role of permanent observer to the Economic Community of Western African States (ECOWAS). On 12 October 2016,
Pope Francis appointed him
Apostolic Nuncio to Belgium, adding the position of
Nuncio to Luxembourg on 7 December. He was the first non-European to occupy the Belgian posting. He presented his credentials to the king and the grand duke on 2 February and 2 March. Pope Francis accepted his resignation on 31 August 2021. == See also ==