By Okhueleigbe Osemhantie ?mos

In a move that highlights the universality of the Catholic Church and the rising visibility of African clergy within the central governance of the Holy See, His Holiness Pope Leo XIV has appointed Revd. Fr. Edward Daniang Daleng, O.S.A., as Vice-Regent of the Prefecture of the Papal Household.

The Prefecture of the Papal Household (Prefettura della Casa Pontificia), one of the most historically rich and ceremonially significant offices in the Vatican, is charged with the internal organisation of the Pope?s daily audiences, official visits, and the solemn order of papal ceremonies. The office also supervises Papal Apartments and assists in coordinating the public and private engagements of the Holy Father. Its current structure dates back to the Apostolic Constitution Regimini Ecclesiae Universae of 15 August 1967, issued by Pope Paul VI, which reformed earlier court offices such as the Majordomo and Master of the Chamber.

As Vice-Regent, Fr. Daleng will work directly under the Prefect, a position presently occupied by Archbishop Leonardo Sapienza, C.R., overseeing the complex rhythm of papal life, from the audiences with heads of state and ambassadors to the coordination of public audiences and special papal liturgies. The Vice-Regent?s role, though discreet, is crucial; it ensures that papal household runs with precision, decorum, and fidelity to ecclesial tradition.

The office of Vice-Regent itself has seen distinguished occupants in the modern era, among them Msgr. Paolo De Nicol?, who served for nearly two decades (1994?2012) with remarkable grace and diplomatic finesse, and Msgr. Leonardo Sapienza, who later rose to become Prefect. Fr. Daleng?s appointment, therefore, places him in a venerable line of clerics whose proximity to the Pope demands both humility and administrative mastery.

Fr. Edward Daniang Daleng was born on 4 April 1977 in Yitla?ar, Kwalla, Plateau State, Nigeria, in the Diocese of Shendam. A man of scholarly depth and pastoral zeal, he entered the Order of Saint Augustine (O.S.A.) and professed his first vows on 9 November 2001, before making his solemn profession on 13 November 2004. He was ordained to the sacred priesthood on 10 September 2005, marking the beginning of a ministry that would blend intellectual excellence with a spirit of service.

After his ordination, Fr. Daleng pursued advanced ecclesiastical studies at the Alphonsian Academy (Pontifical Lateran University, Rome), where he obtained a Doctorate in Moral Theology in 2012. His doctoral work, according to colleagues, reflected a nuanced grasp of human moral formation and the interplay of conscience and culture in ethical decision-making, themes that have shaped his later teaching and administrative service.

Within the Order of Saint Augustine, Fr. Daleng has held prominent positions, notably as General Counsellor and Procurator General, based in Rome. In these roles, he acted as juridical representative of the Order before the Holy See and as liaison between Augustinian provinces across continents. His tenure was marked by prudent financial stewardship, canonical precision, and a reputation for bridge-building across linguistic and cultural divides.

Beyond administration, Fr. Daleng has been a sought-after lecturer, retreat director, and spiritual guide, combining intellectual clarity with a serene, reflective temperament. Those who have worked with him describe him as a man of calm discipline, deep prayer, and quiet humour, qualities indispensable in the delicate world of Vatican diplomacy.

The appointment of Fr. Daleng carries profound symbolic resonance. It highlights the Church?s deepening recognition of Africa?s theological and pastoral contributions to global Catholicism. Nigeria, in particular, continues to produce clerics of exceptional calibre who serve not only in local dioceses but at the heart of the Roman Curia.

Fr. Daleng?s new office situates him within the circle of officials who, by their daily work, sustain the rhythm of the papacy itself. Every audience, every diplomatic courtesy, every formal reception in the Apostolic Palace bears the imprint of the Prefecture?s unseen hand. His role, therefore, extends beyond administrative duty; it is a form of service to the unity, dignity, and public witness of the Holy Father?s ministry.

With this appointment, Pope Leo XIV once more signals a Church that is not only Roman but truly Catholic, embracing the gifts of all peoples, all continents, and all religious families.

As he assumes this noble responsibility, the prayers of the faithful accompany Fr. Edward Daniang Daleng, O.S.A., that he may bring to the Prefecture of the Papal Household the same intellectual poise, spiritual depth, and quiet dedication that have defined his Augustinian vocation and his service to the Church universal.

?Fr. Dr. Okhueleigbe Osemhantie ?mos is a priest of the Catholic Diocese of Uromi and a Lecturer at CIWA, Port Harcourt.

Update news