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Spanish archbishop chosen as new apostolic nuncio to Canada
By Deborah Gyapong, Canadian Catholic News
December 11, 2009
OTTAWA - Pope Benedict XVI has appointed Spanish Archbishop Pedro Lopez Quintana as the new apostolic nuncio to Canada.
The Holy See made the announcement Dec. 10.
“Once again the Holy Father has shown his great care and love for Canada in assigning a first class nuncio to this country in the person of Archbishop Pedro Lopez Quintana,” said Salt + Light Television CEO Fr. Thomas Rosica, who first met Canada’s new nuncio at the Secretariat of State when Rosica was preparing for World Youth Day 2002 in Toronto.
The Holy See made the announcement Dec. 10.
“Once again the Holy Father has shown his great care and love for Canada in assigning a first class nuncio to this country in the person of Archbishop Pedro Lopez Quintana,” said Salt + Light Television CEO Fr. Thomas Rosica, who first met Canada’s new nuncio at the Secretariat of State when Rosica was preparing for World Youth Day 2002 in Toronto.
“He held a very key position in the church and has a great understanding of the universal church and the particular churches. I was always impressed with his intelligence, great affability, kindness and buoyant hope."
López Quintana has been apostolic nuncio, or the Vatican's ambassador, to India and Nepal since 2003. He will succeed Archbishop Luigi Ventura, who served in Ottawa from 2001 until his appointment as nuncio to France in September. Ventura departed for Paris in early November.
Born in Barbastro, Spain, on July 27, 1953, López Quintana was ordained to the priesthood in 1980, entered the Holy See’s diplomatic service in 1984 and was ordained bishop in 2003. He has served in the apostolic nunciatures of Madagascar, the Philippines and India, as well as in the Holy See’s Secretariat of State, where he served as Assessor for General Affairs.
The archbishop holds a Doctorate in Canon Law and speaks French, English, Italian and Portuguese in addition to Spanish.
“He also loves young people,” Rosica added. “He is eminently qualified for the position in Canada and we are very happy about his new posting.”
López Quintana has been apostolic nuncio, or the Vatican's ambassador, to India and Nepal since 2003. He will succeed Archbishop Luigi Ventura, who served in Ottawa from 2001 until his appointment as nuncio to France in September. Ventura departed for Paris in early November.
Born in Barbastro, Spain, on July 27, 1953, López Quintana was ordained to the priesthood in 1980, entered the Holy See’s diplomatic service in 1984 and was ordained bishop in 2003. He has served in the apostolic nunciatures of Madagascar, the Philippines and India, as well as in the Holy See’s Secretariat of State, where he served as Assessor for General Affairs.
The archbishop holds a Doctorate in Canon Law and speaks French, English, Italian and Portuguese in addition to Spanish.
“He also loves young people,” Rosica added. “He is eminently qualified for the position in Canada and we are very happy about his new posting.”