Your Excellencies, dear Brothers in Christ,

            It is with profound joy that I greet you all during this, my first visit to Namibia as the Apostolic Nuncio. I wish to begin by expressing my heartfelt gratitude for the warm welcome I have received and for this opportunity to gather with you, the shepherds of the Lord’s flock in this beautiful land. It is a privilege to join you in the spirit of fraternity and shared mission that unites us in the service of Christ and His Church.

            As I stand before you today, I am deeply conscious of the sacred responsibility entrusted to each of us. In the words of the Code of Canon Law, my role as Nuncio includes offering support to you by both action and counsel, while fully respecting the rightful authority you exercise as pastors of the People of God (cf. can. 364, 2º). Furthermore, I am called to promote close and frequent contact with your Bishops’ Conference, assisting you in the great task of proclaiming the Gospel and advancing the mission of the Church (cf. can. 364, 3º).

            In all of this, we are reminded of the ultimate goal that inspires and directs our efforts: “the salvation of souls, which must always be the supreme law of the Church” (cf. can. 1752). This truth binds us together as coworkers in the vineyard of the Lord, and it finds renewed expression in the synodal journey we have undertaken, as well as in the Jubilee Year that serves as a moment of grace and renewal for the entire Church.

            Allow me to draw upon the wisdom of Pope Francis, who continually calls us to a Church that is both missionary and synodal—a Church that walks together, listens deeply, and seeks to discern the promptings of the Holy Spirit. As the Holy Father reminds us: “Synodality is a style, it is a walk together, and it is what the Lord expects of the Church of the third millennium.” (29.11.2019 to CDF). This path requires unity of purpose, humility of heart, and openness to the voice of God in the joys and challenges of our communities.

            In the words of Pope Francis: “A Jubilee is a time to look forward, to strengthen our bond with God and each other, and to radiate His mercy in the world.” („Spes non confundit”) This Jubilee invites us to embrace a spirit of renewal, healing, and unity as we seek to deepen our faith and mission in service to the Gospel.

            The Jubilee Year reminds us that God’s mercy knows no bounds. As we celebrate this sacred time, let us renew our trust in His infinite love and share that love with those around us, especially the most vulnerable and marginalized. May our efforts as a Church continue to be a beacon of hope and an instrument of reconciliation, bringing God’s peace to every corner of our communities.

            Your faithful witness, together with the commitment of priests, religious, seminarians, and laity, reflects the vibrancy and strength of the Church in Namibia. Let this Jubilee inspire you to continue working together with zeal and unity, ensuring that the light of Christ shines brightly in all that we do.

            I entrust this Jubilee Year and all its initiatives to the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church. May her example of faith and humility guide us in our mission, and may her prayers sustain us in our journey of faith. With heartfelt prayers, I ask God to bless you abundantly and grant you peace, joy, and strength in this Jubilee Year and always.

            From what I have learned in preparation for this visit, there is much in your local Church that you can rightly take pride in. The faithful witness of your clergy, religious, and laypeople stands as a testament to the vitality of the Gospel in this country. At the same time, I am aware that there are challenges to be faced—pastoral, social, and spiritual. Please know that I am here to listen, to learn, and to assist you in any way that I can. The Nunciature, as the home of the Holy Father, remains always open to you as a place of support, dialogue, and shared commitment to our mission.

            Dear brothers, as we embark on this journey together, I entrust our meeting and your ministry to the intercession of Our Lady, Queen of Namibia, and to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. May the Lord strengthen you in your service, bless the people entrusted to your care, and grant us the grace to work together for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

            With gratitude and the assurance of my prayers.

+Archbp. Henryk Jagodziński

Apostolic Nuncio to Namibia

27 January, 2025