On Monday, during a ceremony at the National Palace, the President Michel Martelly and his wife Sophia Martelly, has decorated with the National Order of Honor and Merit at Grade of Grand Cross Silver plate, the Representative of the Holy See in Haiti, Apostolic Nuncio, Mgr. Bernardito Cleopas Auza (55) 18th Nuncio in Haiti, which was appointed by the Vatican May 8, 2008, succeeding Mgr Mario Giordana.

In the presence among other of Me Arnel Alexis Joseph, President of the Court of Cassation, Stevenson Jacques Thimoléon, President of the Chamber of Deputies, of His Eminence Cardinal Chilby Langlois, ofrepresentatives of the Diplomatic and Consular Corps and prominent personalities of the Catholic clergy, the President Martelly paid tribute to the Representative of the Holy See in Haiti whose mission came to an end after 6 years of apostolate "I express my satisfaction for the excellent work you have done, as representative of the Holy See and as as Dean of the Diplomatic Corps. This success is not a coincidence, but the result of a discrete and effective action by the distinguished diplomat you are."

For his part, Mgr. Auza recalled his favorite memories spent in this country for which he has so much love. In particular, he refers to the January 2010 earthquake and to the courage of the Haitian people. He also thanked the Head of State for the decoration he sees as a sign of generosity. When leaving Haiti, Mgr Auza promised the completion in the next six months of certain infrastructure undertaken by the Catholic Church.

Recall that Haiti and the Vatican established diplomatic relations since March 28, 1869, the date of the signing of the Concordat signed between the Haitian government and the Holy See. However, it was not until January 28, 1927 that was established the first Nunciature in Haiti with the appointment of Mgr George Joseph Cuarana. Since the accession to power of President Martelly, the cooperative relationship between the two countries have strengthened with including two meetings of President with Popes Francis and Benedict. https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-10598-haiti-diplomacy-president-martelly-received-in-private-audience-by-pope-francis.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-7218-haiti-diplomacy-the-president-martelly-received-in-audience-by-pope-benedict-xvi.html and the elevation, for the first time, to the dignity of Cardinal of a Haitian, His Eminence Chibly Langlois. https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-10588-haiti-religion-an-extraordinary-event-a-historic-day-for-haiti.html

In July Bernardito Cleopas Auza was appointed by Pope Francis as the new Permanent Representative of the Vatican to the United Nations in New York. He succeeds to Mgr Francis Assisi Chullikatt.

Currently, no successor to Mgr Auza was designated.

HL/ HaitiLibre