Monrovia-Liberia’s Foreign Minister H.E. Amb. Dee-Maxwell Saah Kemayah, Sr., has extolled Pope Francis and the Vatican State for the numerous humanitarian and development assistance the Catholic Church continue to render the Liberian government and people, a Foreign Ministry press release said at the weekend.
Minister Kemayah pointed out that the Catholic Church in Liberia continues to make huge investment in the country, impacting the health and educational sectors of the country.
He named the construction of Primary, Secondary and Tertiary institutions in the country as some of the development initiatives of the Catholic Church in Liberia, since the establishment of diplomatic ties between Liberia and the Vatican state.
The Liberian Foreign Minister was speaking Friday, June 24, 2022 when Archbishop Dagoberto Campos Salas, outgoing Vatican Ambassador accredited to Liberia paid a farewell courtesy call on him at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Receiving the Vatican Ambassador in audience at his Foreign Ministry office, Minister Kemayah stated “Let me on behalf of His Excellency Dr. George Manneh Weah welcome you to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on a visit to bit farewell to the Government and people of Liberia, following a successful tour of duty in the country”.
He expressed deep gratitude to Archbishop Dagoberto Salas for his time of service and successful tour of duty in Liberia while representing the Holy Sea and Pope Francis of the Vatican.
He used the occasion to specifically extend thanks and appreciation to Pope Francis and the Holy Sea, for the contributions the Catholic Church continues to render the government and people of Liberia in the field of academic and health.
Minster Kemayah intoned that the contributions of the Catholic Church in Liberia cannot be over emphasized; adding the Catholic Church has played a pivotal role in the enhancement of the health and educational sector.
“As you leave Liberia, to take up new assignment in Panama, we wish you success in your new endeavor; We also look forward to receiving your successor and wish to assure the Vatican of our support and commitment to work with whosoever is sent to represent Pope Francis in Liberia”, the Foreign Minister emphasized.
He expressed hope that the two leaders will continue to collaborate and work together in order to strengthen the existing bilateral cooperation between Liberia and the Vatican state
For his part, the outgoing Vatican Ambassador, Archbishop Dagoberto Compos Salas thanked President George Manneh Weah and the Government and people of Liberia for the excellent cooperation and collaboration he enjoyed during his (4) four years of diplomatic service following his tour of duty in Liberia.
He also expressed gratitude to President Weah and his government for all the supports accorded him while representing the Holy Sea and hailed the excellent bilateral ties that subsisted between Liberia and the Vatican during his time of service in Liberia as Ambassador of the Vatican.
While bidding farewell to Foreign Minister Kemayah and his government, Archbishop Daoberto Campos Salas noted “I have been accredited to Panama as Apostolic Nuncio and Ambassador of the Vatican state. I am happy to have worked with Liberia to build a good relationship with your country as we reflect on the memory of the COVID-19 pandemic”.