Apostolic Nunciature to the Kingdom of Sierra
Apostolic Nunciature, Porciúncula |  | |
|---|---|
 Front entrance | |
| Location | 3091 S Alvarado St, Porciúncula, Gold Coast, Sierra |
| Apostolic Nuncio | Archbishop Agostinho Vieira |
| Jurisdiction | Sierra |
The Apostolic Nunciature to the Kingdom of Sierra is the diplomatic mission of the Sovereign Patriarchate of Avignon to the Kingdom of Sierra, being the chief ecclesiastical office of the Avignon Roman Catholic Church in Sierra. It is located in the Porciúncula.
The Apostolic Nuncio is equivalent to an ambassador and serves as the point of contact between the Government of Sierra and the Pope, as well as between the Catholic hierarchy in Sierra and the Avignon papacy. It is both the center for communications between the Catholic Church in Sierra and Venaissin City, having an important role in the appointment of bishops, as well as being an embassy. The office of nuncio to Sierra is considered to be one of the most important diplomatic postings in the Venaissin foreign service as it is seen as the administrative center of the Church in North America, and is always being staffed by an experienced Venaissin diplomat, usually a titular archbishop.
History
The Apostolic Delegation to Sierra from the Avignon Roman Catholic Church was first established on January 24, 1938, after Sierra renounced its ties with Vatican City and the Holy See, opting to instead, recognize the Venaissin City State and the Sovereign Patriarchate. Sierra had official relations with the Holy See prior to the switch, although the Vatican only sent a delegation, rather than an apostolic nunciature. Prior to the Second Western Schism, Sierra had a significant share of Roman Catholics. The cooperation between the Holy See and the Italian Landonist government during the schism drew backlash in Sierra, and as a consequence, relations between the Church in Rome and Sierra were strained. The domestic Crimson Scare added further stress to the Catholic community in Sierra, prompting many Sierran Roman Catholics to switch allegiances and communion to the Church in Avignon.
For decades Sierra and the Sovereign Patriarchate did not have relations at the full ambassadorial level, with the apostolic delegation to Sierra not being a political representation to the Government of Sierra but being accredited only to the Sierran Catholic Church hierarchy. In 1987, the apostolic delegation was upgraded to a nunciature after a meeting between Prime Minister Ted Brundy and Pope Urban IX, leading to closer relations between the Sovereign Patriarchate and the Kingdom in the latter half of the Cold War.
Representatives of the Sovereign Patriarchate to Sierra
- Apostolic Delegates
- Apostolic Nuncios
