Séamus Patrick Horgan

Séamus Patrick Horgan (born 31 August 1969) is an Irish Catholic priest who was appointed Apostolic Nuncio to South Sudan on 14 May 2024.

Early life and education
Horgan was born in Ennis, County Clare on 31 August 1969, one of four children to Denis and Pauline Horgan.

He attended the local primary school and secondary school at St Flannan's College, before studying for the priesthood at St Patrick's College, Maynooth, completing a Bachelor of Arts at NUI Maynooth in 1990 and a Bachelor of Theology at the Pontifical University in 1993.

Horgan was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Killaloe on 11 June 1994, making him a classmate of fellow nuncio Michael Francis Crotty and the Bishop of Waterford and Lismore, Alphonsus Cullinan.

Presbyteral ministry
Horgan's first pastoral assignment was as curate in Bodyke, before spending a number of years as curate in Roscrea.

He moved to Rome in 2000, where he completed a Licentiate of Canon Law at the Pontifical Gregorian University in 2001, before joining the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy in preparation for a diplomatic career for the Holy See.

Horgan subsequently completed a Doctorate of Canon Law while studying at the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy, in preparation for the diplomatic service of the Holy See on 1 July 2005.

Diplomatic career
Horgan's first diplomatic assignment was as attaché and subsequently secretary of the apostolic nunciature to Uganda, between 2005 and 2008, when he was appointed secretary of the apostolic nunciature to Switzerland.

Horgan was appointed secretary and subsequently counsellor to the apostolic nunciature to the Philippines in 2012, before returning to Rome in 2015, following his appointment as a minutante in the Section for Relations with States.

He was appointed first counsellor to the apostolic nunciature to the United States in 2020.

Horgan was appointed a Chaplain of His Holiness by Pope Benedict XVI in 2008 and a Prelate of Honour of His Holiness by Pope Francis in 2019. In addition to his native English, he speaks French and Italian, and has a working knowledge of German.

Apostolic Nuncio to South Sudan
Horgan was appointed apostolic nuncio to South Sudan and titular archbishop-elect of Árd Sratha by Pope Francis on 14 May 2024. He will also be the first nuncio to reside in South Sudan.

He will be consecrated on 27 July 2024 in the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul, Ennis.