2011-05-10 12:58:36

Filoni to head Propaganda Fide


Pope Benedict XVI has appointed Archbishop Fernando Filoni, prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelisation of peoples. He replaces Indian Cardinal Ivan Dias, whose resignation from office on having reached the age limit was accepted by the Holy Father.

Archbishop Filoni, 65, previously held the post of substitute for general affairs of the Secretary of State. He will be replaced in that post by Nuncio to Cuba, Msgr. Giovanni Angelo Becciu.

A native of Taranto Italy, Archbishop Filoni is a widely experienced diplomat who has held posts in Sri Lanka, Iran, Brazil and the Philippines twice. He was appointed to Iraq and Jordan by the late Blessed John Paul II on the eve of the US led invasion. When war broke out he remained in residence in Baghdad.

A noted expert on the Church in China, Archbishop Filoni was brought back to the Curia by Pope Benedict XVI in 2007. The Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples is responsible for missionary work and related Church activities and is often referred to as Propaganda Fide. Archbishop Filoni will join recently appointed Congregation secretary Archbishop Savio Hon Tai-Fai of Hong Kong.








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