UNIS/BIO/809
9 March 2007

New Permanent Observer of
the Holy See Presents Credentials

VIENNA, 9 March (UN Information Service) -- The new Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations (Vienna), Monsignor Michael Wallace Banach, presented his credentials today to Antonio Maria Costa, Director-General, United Nations Office at Vienna (UNOV).

Monsignor Banach has been in the Diplomatic Service of the Holy See since 1994 and has served  in the Section for Relations with States, Vatican Secretariat of State, and in the Apostolic Nunciatures in Bolivia and Nigeria.

Monsignor Banach holds a doctoral degree in Canon Law and was ordained to priesthood in 1988.

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