Nikola Eterović
Croatian Roman Catholic archbishop
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Nikola Eterović (born 20 January 1951) is a Croatian prelate of the Catholic Church who is a titular archbishop and was the Apostolic Nuncio to Germany (2013–2026).
Nikola Eterović | |
|---|---|
| Apostolic Nuncio Emeritus to Germany | |
Eterović in 2012 | |
| Appointed | 21 September 2013 |
| Retired | 9 April 2026 |
| Predecessor | Jean-Claude Périsset |
| Successor | Hubertus van Megen |
| Other post | Titular Archbishop of Cibalae |
| Previous posts |
|
| Orders | |
| Ordination | 26 June 1977 by Celestin Bezmalinović |
| Consecration | 10 July 1999 by Angelo Sodano |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Nikola Eterović 20 January 1951 |
| Nationality | Croatian |
| Motto | Caput anguli Christus (Latin for 'Christ is the cornerstone') |
| Styles of Nikola Eterović | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Reference style | |
| Spoken style | Your Excellency |
| Religious style | Archbishop |
Biography
Diplomatic career
To prepare for a diplomatic career he entered the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy in 1977.[2] On 25 March 1980 he joined the diplomatic service of the Holy See. He fulfilled early assignments in the Apostolic Nunciatures in the Côte d'Ivoire, Spain, and Nicaragua and in the offices of the Secretariat of State.[1]
Pope John Paul II appointed him titular archbishop of Sisak and Apostolic Nuncio to Ukraine on 22 May 1999.[3] He was consecrated a bishop on 10 July 1999 by Cardinal Secretary of State Angelo Sodano, assisted by Ante Jurić, Archbishop of Split, and Slobodan Štambuk, Bishop of Hvar.
On 11 February 2004, he was named general secretary of the Synod of Bishops.[1]
Eterović was named a member of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples on 9 May 2009[4] and of the Pontifical Council for Promoting the New Evangelization on 20 December 2010.[5]
On 27 November 2009, anticipating the creation of the Diocese of Sisak on 5 December, Eterović was made titular archbishop of Cibalae by Pope Benedict XVI.[6]
On 21 September 2013, Pope Francis appointed him Apostolic Nuncio to Germany.[7] He presented his credentials to Federal President Joachim Gauck on 20 November 2013.[citation needed]
On 9 April 2026, Pope Leo XIV accepted his resignation as apostolic nuncio to Germany.[8] German Catholic Radio remarked that he had been unsuccessful as a mediator between the Holy See and the German Church's Synodal Way because of "cultural and linguistic barriers".[9]
