Ecclesial and Diplomatic Roles of Nuncio

The Pope send his ambassadors to the countries around the world, including Indonesia. Ambassadors or Nuncios have two roles: ecclesial and diplomatic roles.

Since March 23, 2011, Mgr. Antonio Guido Filipazzi has assumed his office as the Apostolic Nuncio for Indonesia, or The Holy See Ambassador for Indonesia. He was born in Melzo-Milan, Italy, on October 8, 1963. He is the XIV Nuncio since it was established in Indonesia.

This professor of Canon Law in Seminary Pius XI of the Diocese of Bordighera, Italy, is at the same time, the youngest Nuncio among the other previous Nuncios in Indonesia.

HIDUP staffs met and conducted interview with Mgr. Filipazzi in his official residence, Apostolic Nunciature in Jakarta Pusat. In this interview, R.B.E. Agung Nugroho, Sylvia Marsidi, and Maria Pertiwi asked some questions about the tasks of Nunciature (an official name for institution headed by the Nuncio) which is not really known among the people. Below is the interview:

Your Excellency, please explain to us about the office and the task of Nuncio.

According to the Code of Canon Law, Nuncio has two tasks or offices: ecclesial and diplomatic office. Ecclesial office strengthens the relation between the local church and the Pope. Meanwhile diplomatic office of Nuncio is not so different with the office of other ambassadors who represent their countries. Nunciature also establishes a relation between the Holy See and other countries. There are more than 100 Nunciatures across the world.

Often it is said that Nuncio is the ambassador of Vatican. Actually, the he is not the representative of Vatican state, but the representative of the Pope. The Vatican State emerged on 1929; before the emergence of this Vatican State, the office of papal representative has already existed. So Nuncio represents the Pope not only as the head of Vatican state (the smallest state in the world), but above all as the Head of the Church which is a very large community.

So is it wrong to call you an ambassador?

No. Since 15^th century, an office of ambassador has already existed, as we know it today. However, this term represents another reality. The Church is a religious reality acknowledged internationally, just as the acknowledged country is. The Pope establishes a relations with all nations, not only as the Head of a state, but also as the Head of the Church. This is the unique characteristic of the Catholic Church.

The Church is an internationally acknowledged religious body. As an international subject, the Church has a right to send her ambassadors (Nuncios) to other countries. The Church also has a right to accept ambassadors from other countries. For example, Indonesia has its ambassador in the Vatican. There are 180 countries, who establish diplomatic relations with the Holy See. Generally, I can say that the office of Nunciature focuses on its ecclesial tasks.

The Holy See does not have any interest in other field, such as economic, military, or something related to visa issue. One of the tasks of Apostolic Nunciature is to promote religious freedom.

Please tell us your experience with the civil government.

Of course, Nuncio, just like the other ambassadors, meets with the President and the ministers. For example, I meet them on the independence day of the Republic of Indonesia, and on the religious day such as Idul Fitri.

When I visit a region, I also meet with the governor, bupati, or other officials. I want to say that the local government always accommodates my visit. In particular, the ministry of foreign affairs helps my visit to other region. Certainly, I also establish a relation with other ministry, but the priority is with the ministry of foreign affairs.

I want to affirm that both the President and the minister of foreign affairs always state that Indonesia is a country in which various believers live in harmony. Indonesia always promotes itself as a country in which all religions coexist peacefully without conflict.

Particularly, promoting interreligious dialogue is a task of the local Church and the bishops. The Nuncio supports this work, but he cannot replace their tasks.

Please explain to us about your relation with the bishops.

The Pope is the Head of the college of bishops. All bishops must be in communion with the Pope. Therefore, if there is guidance from the Pope, Nuncio has a duty to deliver the Pope’s message to the bishops. However, it is not his task to assign a parish priest, or to establish a parish. This is the task of the local bishop. Nevertheless, if there are decisions made by the bishops and it requires the approval of the Holy See, or if there is a situation that requires the Holy See to make a decision,  he can become a mediator.

For example, there is a community, which needs acknowledgement as a congregation. The local bishop can establish a congregation in the diocese level after receiving the approval from the Holy See. If the local bishop acknowledges a congregation without Rome’s approval, automatically the decision is not valid. Surely, if there is a request from local bishop to Rome, this request will be sent to Rome with information from Nuncio.

What is the task of Nuncio regarding the appointment of a new bishop?

The task to appoint a new bishop is very important for the Nuncio. He does not choose and assign responsibility to the bishop, but it is the pope who appoints a new bishop. However, he has a duty to collect useful information for the Pope. Thus, he should understand the situation and collect all information related to a candidate for new bishop, whether he is worthy or not.

When it is necessary to appoint a new bishop, Nuncio will ask the name of the candidates from the local bishop, priests, sisters, and lay people. Besides, once in every five or six years, the bishops propose the name for a new bishop. Usually he will propose three candidates to the The Holy See.

After Nuncio has all the information, he will send it to the Holy See. This process, certainly, takes a long time because perhaps there are certain elements that must be investigated thoroughly. It will be done in secret. The purpose of this secrecy is to protect the candidates’ reputation. Then when the Pope chooses one candidate, it is possible that the chosen candidate reject the Pope’s decision.

If it happens, I should start again from the beginning. To propose the names of the candidates is easy, but the process to choose a new bishop can take a long time. That is why the process is a long one. This atmosphere of secrecy keeps the process run well. This is the most important yet difficult ecclesial task of the Nuncio.

What about the appointment of a new Cardinal?

It is a personal decision of the pope to appoint a new Cardinal. Nuncio does not propose the names for a new cardinal. This is truly the right of the pope.

This interview was published on HIDUP Magazine, 12 December 2013.