VIDEO: Papal Nuncio visits St Killian’s College

Papal Nuncio Archbishop Charles John Brown was welcomed to the school by Principal Jonny Brady, head boy Niall McNaughton and head girl Anna McKay, before concelebrating Mass in the chapel with Bishop of Down and Connor, The Most Rev. Noel Treanor.

Guests included local clergy and school principals.

Pupils from years eight to 12 were in attendance for the Mass before the Papal ambassador addressed and met with the remainder of students in the school assembly hall.

The Most Rev. Archbishop Brown, a native of New York, was appointed Apostolic Nuncio to Ireland, a diplomatic role within the Roman Catholic Church, by Pope Benedict XVI in 2011.

He is required to assist the island’s bishops and keep hierarchy informed about matters affecting the church.

He is also expected to maintain relationships between the church and state.

The Papal Nuncio was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of New York by Cardinal John Joseph O’Connor on May 13 1989 in St. Patrick’s Cathedral, New York.

From 1994 until his appointment as nuncio, he worked as an official of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. He became a chaplain to the Pope in 2000.

He was appointed assistant secretary of the International Theological Commission in September 2009.

During his visit to St. Killian’s, the representative of Pope Francis was expected to officially install a college prayer created by students which is included in the latest college prospectus.

Archbishop Brown is based at Navan Road in Dublin.