Pope’s condolence message for death of Apostolic Nuncio to Ivory Coast

(Dec. 12, 2012) Pope Benedict XVI expressed his grief on hearing of the death of the Apostolic Nuncio to Ivory Coast, Archbishop Ambrose Madtha of India, who died on Saturday. The 57-year-old prelate died in a serious car accident in Biankouma, west of the capital Abidjan, while returning from an ordination in the north-western town of Odienne. The Pope’s condolence message addressed to Archbishop Salvatore Pennacchio, the Apostolic Nuncio in India and also to Fr. Roberto Campisi in charge of the Apostolic Nunciature at Abidjan, described Archbishop Madtha as “faithful servant, a zealous priest and an able diplomat”.
Pope Benedict’s message also expressed his condolences to the Archbishop’s family, whose strong faith, he said undoubtedly contributed to the dedication with which Archbishop Madtha served the Church and the Apostolic See. The Pontiff also expressed his condolences to the Indian diocese of Lucknow , where he was ordained a priest in 1982; as well as to the representatives of the Apostolic Nunciature of Ivory Coast. The Pontiff expressed his gratitude for the competence with which Archbishop Madtha worked for peace, unity and welfare of the African country. Archbishop Madtha was appointed Apostolic Nuncio to Ivory Coast in 2008, after having served in the Apostolic Nunciatures in Ghana, El Salvador, Georgia, Albania and Taiwan.