By Jude Atemanke, Photo Credit: Nigeria Catholic Network
Port-au-Prince, 11 February, 2026 – Pope Leo XIV has transferred Archbishop Jude Thaddeus Okolo, who has been serving as Apostolic Nuncio in the Czech Republic, to Haiti.
The Port-au-Prince-based Apostolic Nunciature has been vacant since January 2024, when the late Pope Francis transferred Archbishop Francisco Gerardo Escalante Molina to Japan.
The Papal transfer of Archbishop Okolo, who previously served as the representative of the Holy Father in Ireland, was made public on Wednesday, February 11, by the Holy See Press Office.
Born in Nigeria in December 1956, Archbishop Okolo was ordained a Priest for Nigeria’s Catholic Archdiocese of Onitsha in July 1983.
He was assigned to the Roman Curia, where he worked in the department of Dialogue with Christian Sects from 1984 to 1986.
Archbishop Okolo undertook his post-graduate studies in Rome and obtained a doctorate in Canon Law, and a Diploma in Diplomatic Studies.
He entered the diplomatic service of the Holy See in 1990. He was incardinated in Nigeria’s Nnewi Catholic Diocese in November 2001.
Archbishop Okolo’s first mission as Apostolic Nuncio was in August 2008 when he was commissioned to the Central African Republic (CAR), the same time he was appointed to represent the Holy Father in Chad.
The Nigerian Catholic Archbishop who was assigned the Titular See of Novica has also represented the Holy Father in the Dominican Republic.
The Vatican diplomat who reportedly speaks English, Italian, Spanish, German, and French has also served as Apostolic Delegate to Puerto Rico.
In a February 11 statement, the Apostolic Nunciature in Haiti confirmed the appointment of Archbishop Okolo, and appealed for spiritual solidarity for the success of his new mission.
“Let us together uphold the Representative of the Holy Father in Haiti in our prayers and entrust his mission to the intercession of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Patroness of Haiti,” implored Mons. Claude Eric Andriamirado, Chargé d’Affaires at the Nunciature in Haiti.
Source: https://www.aciafrica.org/news/20125/nigerian-born-apostolic-nuncio-in-czech-republic-transferred-to-haiti