Until 1929, the Apostolic Delegation in Syria included in its
mandate the territory of Palestine. In 1929, Pope Pius XI united
Palestine, which at that time was under the British Mandate, to the Delegation
of the Holy See in Cairo. Although there was a residence for the
Apostolic Delegate in Jerusalem, his permanent residence remained in Cairo.
In 1948, Pope Pius XII established the Apostolic Delegation in Jerusalem
for Palestine, Jordan, and Cyprus. Its residence is now located on
the Mount of Olives. His Excellency Msgr. Pietro Sambi is the tenth
Apostolic Delegate. He has succeeded His Excellency Msgr. Andrea
Cordero Lanza di Montezemolo, Titular Archbishop of Tuscania, who was Apostolic
Delegate from 1990 until 1998.
His Excellency Msgr. Pietro Sambi,
Titular Archbishop of Belcastro
His Excellency Msgr. Pietro Sambi was born at Sogliano on the
Rubicon, Forli, Italy, on June 27, 1938. Having completed his studies
in philosophy and theology, he was ordained a priest in 1964. After
this, he was incardinated in the Diocese of Montefeltro.
His Excellency Msgr. Pietro Sambi obtained Doctorates in theology
and canon law. He speaks fluently English, Spanish, and French.
In 1969, he entered the diplomatic service of the Holy See and successively
served in the Apostolic Nunciatures in Cameroon, Jerusalem, Cuba, Algeria,
Nicaragua, Belgium, and India. In 1985, he was appointed Apostolic
Pro-Nuncio in Burundi. Then, from November of 1991 until June of
1998, he was Apostolic Nuncio in Indonesia. Since July of 1998, His
Excellency Msgr. Pietro Sambi has been Apostolic Delegate in Jerusalem
and Palestine. In addition to this, he is Apostolic Pro-Nuncio in
Cyprus and Apostolic Nuncio for Israel.
Monsignor Eugene M. Nugent,
First Secretary of the Apostolic Delegation in Jerusalem and Palestine
Monsignor Eugene M. Nugent was born in Co. Clare, Ireland, on
October 21, 1958. In 1976, he entered St. Patrick’s College in Maynooth,
Ireland. In 1979, he graduated from it and received his BA in Celtic
Studies. In 1983, he was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Killaloe.
From 1979 until 1982, he did his Baccalaureate in theology at the Gregorian
University in Rome. In 1984, he completed his Licentiate in canon
law at the same university. From 1984 until 1987, he was Assistant
Parish Priest in Ennis, Co. Clare, Ireland. From 1988 until 1991,
he worked in the Section for General Affairs of the Secretariat of the
State of Vatican. In 1992, he completed his Doctorate in canon law
at the Gregorian University. In the same year, he graduated from
the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy. In July of 1992, he was appointed
to the Apostolic Nunciature in Turkey. In June of 1996, he was appointed
to the Apostolic Delegation in Jerusalem and to the Apostolic Nunciature
in Israel with the rank of First Secretary. Monsignor Eugene M. Nugent
speaks fluently Irish, English, French, Italian, and German. |
