Apostolic Nunciature in Ottawa
Encyclopedia
The Apostolic Nunciature in Ottawa is the home of the Papal Nuncio to Canada
. Also known as Rockcliffe Manor House, it is one of Ottawa
's most expensive homes, appraised at $5.3 million in 2000. The building sits atop a cliff looking down to the Ottawa River
.
, after he had sold Rideau Hall
to the government to house the Governor General. Keefer rebuilt the house and extensively enlarged it. The house remained in the Keefer family for several generations until in 1929 when it was purchased by Cairine Wilson
and her husband Norman
. They completely rebuilt the house, destroying almost all of the original.
It was sold to the Holy See in 1962, who had previously been based in a building on Queen Elizabeth Driveway
. The manor is located on two hectares of grounds and has a large gate house, that was originally the stables and coach house, separating it from the street and several other out buildings.
in the early 17th century, relations with the Holy See were only officially established under the papacy of Paul VI in the 1960s.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. Also known as Rockcliffe Manor House, it is one of Ottawa
Ottawa
Ottawa is the capital of Canada, the second largest city in the Province of Ontario, and the fourth largest city in the country. The city is located on the south bank of the Ottawa River in the eastern portion of Southern Ontario...
's most expensive homes, appraised at $5.3 million in 2000. The building sits atop a cliff looking down to the Ottawa River
Ottawa River
The Ottawa River is a river in the Canadian provinces of Ontario and Quebec. For most of its length, it now defines the border between these two provinces.-Geography:...
.
History of the building
The first home on the property, built by Duncan Rynier MacNab in 1838, was named "Rockcliff" because of its location. This name eventually was applied to the entire neighbourhood of Rockcliffe Park where the Nunciature is located. In 1868 the property was purchased by Thomas Coltrin Keefer, son-in-law of Thomas McKayThomas McKay
Thomas McKay was a Canadian businessman who was one of the founders of the city of Ottawa, Ontario. He was born in Perth, Scotland and became a skilled stonemason...
, after he had sold Rideau Hall
Rideau Hall
Rideau Hall is, since 1867, the official residence in Ottawa of both the Canadian monarch and the Governor General of Canada. It stands in Canada's capital on a 0.36 km2 estate at 1 Sussex Drive, with the main building consisting of 170 rooms across 9,500 m2 , and 24 outbuildings around the...
to the government to house the Governor General. Keefer rebuilt the house and extensively enlarged it. The house remained in the Keefer family for several generations until in 1929 when it was purchased by Cairine Wilson
Cairine Wilson
Cairine Reay Mackay Wilson was Canada's first female senator.-Early life:Born Cairine Reay Mackay in Montreal, she was the daughter of Jane Mackay and Robert Mackay, a Liberal Senator and personal friend of Sir Wilfrid Laurier. She attended Elmwood School and was "head girl" in her graduating year...
and her husband Norman
Norman Frank Wilson
Norman Frank Wilson was an Ontario farmer and political figure.-Early life; and political office:He was born in Cumberland Township, Ontario in 1876, the son of William Wilson and Mary McElroy. He studied at Upper Canada College and the Ontario Agricultural College at Guelph...
. They completely rebuilt the house, destroying almost all of the original.
It was sold to the Holy See in 1962, who had previously been based in a building on Queen Elizabeth Driveway
Queen Elizabeth Driveway
Queen Elizabeth Driveway is a scenic parkway in Ottawa, Canada that runs along the western edge of the Rideau Canal. It runs from Laurier Avenue in the north to Dow's Lake where it turns into Prince of Wales Drive...
. The manor is located on two hectares of grounds and has a large gate house, that was originally the stables and coach house, separating it from the street and several other out buildings.
History of Canada-Vatican relations
Although the Roman Catholic Church has been territorially established in Canada since the founding of New FranceNew France
New France was the area colonized by France in North America during a period beginning with the exploration of the Saint Lawrence River by Jacques Cartier in 1534 and ending with the cession of New France to Spain and Great Britain in 1763...
in the early 17th century, relations with the Holy See were only officially established under the papacy of Paul VI in the 1960s.
Nuncios to Canada since 1959
- Sebastiano Baggio (12 Mar 1959 - 26 May 1964 )
- Sergio Pignedoli (1 Jun 1964 - 10 Jun 1967)
- Emanuele Clarizio (12 Jun 1967 - 19 Mar 1970)
- Guido Del Mestri (20 Jun 1970 - 12 Aug 1975 )
- Angelo Palmas (2 Sep 1975 - 10 Mar 1990 )
- Carlo CurisCarlo CurisCarlo Curis, is a Italian prelate of the Roman Catholic Church.Carlo Curis was born in La Maddalena, Italy and ordained a priest on July 13, 1947. Curis was appointed titular archbishop of Medeli as well as Apostolic Delegate of Sri Lanka on July 14, 1971; ordained a bishop on October 3, 1971...
(28 Mar 1990 - 4 Feb 1999 ) - Paolo RomeoPaolo RomeoPaolo Romeo STL JCD is the current Cardinal Archbishop of Palermo. He was appointed by Pope Benedict XVI on 19 December 2006.Romeo was the fifth of nine children...
(5 Feb 1999 - 17 Apr 2001) - Luigi VenturaLuigi VenturaLuigi Ventura is the current Apostolic Nuncio to France since his appointment by Pope Benedict XVI on 22 September 2009.Ventura was born in 1944 in Borgosatollo, Italy. He was ordained a priest on 14 June 1969 at the age of 25 for the diocese of Brescia. He was called to work for the diplomatic...
(22 Jun 2001 - 22 September 2009) - Pedro Lopez Quintana (10 December 2009 - present)