The Tribune

THE Vatican announced this week that Pope Francis has appointed Patrick Pinder, Archbishop of Nassau and president the Antilles Episcopal Conference (AEC), as a member of the Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples.

It is the first time at a bishop from the AEC has been appointed to such a high office in the Vatican.

The appointment is for a period of five years.

The Congregation is one of the dicasteries (departments of the Vatican) that assists the Pope in the governance of the universal church.

All mission countries, including all the dioceses of AEC come under the jurisdiction of the Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples, whose responsibilities include making recommendations to the Pope for hs appointment of bishops.

While Archbishop Pinder will continue his pastoral ministry here in the Bahamas, he will be expected to participate actively in the work of the this dicastery, being directly involved and consulted when important decisions are made.

The Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples is Fernando Cardinal Filoni, who visited the AEC region last November and had talks with its bishops.

Since then the AEC has received the appointment of its first cardinal, Kelvin Cardinal Felix, Emeritus Archbishop of Castries, St Lucia, and now this new appointment of Archbishop Pinder.

As he begins this new level of responsibility, the Archdiocese of Nassau congratulated Archbishop Pinder and offered him its support and best wishes.