Resignation of the archbishop of La Plata, Argentina, and appointment of successor
Appointment of bishop of Saitama, Japan
Appointment of Magnificent Rector of the Pontifical Lateran University of Rome
Resignation of the archbishop of La Plata, Argentina, and appointment of successor
The Holy Father Francis has accepted the resignation from the pastoral care of the archdiocese of La Plata, Argentina, presented by H.E. Msgr. Héctor Rubén Aguer.
The Pope has appointed as archbishop of La Plata, Argentina, H.E. Msgr. Víctor Manuel Fernández, currently titular archbishop of Tiburnia.
H.E. Msgr. Víctor Manuel Fernández
H.E. Msgr. Víctor Manuel Fernández was born in Alcira Gigena, Córdoba, Argentina, on 18 July 1962. After his secondary studies, he entered the Nuestra Señora de Loreto seminary in Córdoba.
On 15 August 1986 he received priestly ordination, and was incardinated in the diocese of Villa de la Concepción del Río Cuarto.
He obtained a licentiate in theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, and in 1990 a doctorate from the Pontifical Catholic University of Argentina.
He exercised his priestly ministry in the parish of the Sagrados Corazones in Río Cuarto (1985). From 1988 to 1993, he was formator and professor in the Jesús Buen Pastor of Río Cuarto major seminary, at the same time collaborating in the parish of Nuestra Señora de Fátima. From 1988 he served as professor in the diocesan institute of lay formation, of which, from 1990 to 1992, he was also rector. Since 1993 he has served as professor in the Faculty of Theology of the Catholic University of Argentina, of which, in 2002, he became vice-dean. He was also a diocesan assistant and supervisor of the diocesan coordination team of the Movimiento de Renovación Carismática; director of the diocesan catechesis office (1992); parish vicar of San José de Tegua (1991-1993, 2000-2007); and parish priest of Santa Teresa del Niño Jesús in Río Cuarto (1993-1999). In 2007, he was appointed by Benedict XVI to participate in the V Conference of the Latin American Bishops’ Conference in Aparecida, Brazil, serving as an expert of the Argentina Episcopal Conference and of CELAM itself. Since August 2008 he has been dean of the Faculty of Theology of the Catholic University of Argentina. From 2011 until April 2018 he worked as rector of the Catholic University of Argentina.
On 13 May 2013 he was elected titular archbishop of Tiburnia, and received episcopal consecration the following 15 June.
Within the Episcopal Conference of Argentina he is a member of the Commission of Faith and Culture.
He is also consulter of the Congregation for Catholic Education.
Appointment of bishop of Saitama, Japan
The Pope has appointed as bishop of the diocese of Saitama, Japan, the Rev. Don Mario Michiaki Yamanouchi, S.D.B., currently provincial of the Salesian Society of Saint John Bosco (Salesians) in Japan.
Rev. Don Mario Michiaki Yamanouchi, S.D.B.
The Rev. Don Mario Michiaki Yamanouchi, S.D.B., was born on 8 December 1955 in Oita, diocese of Oita. He entered the Salesian Novitiate in Manucho, Argentina, in 1975. He gave his perpetual vows on 24 January 1982. From 1976 to 1979 he studied philosophy and theology in Córdoba, Argentina. He holds a bachelor’s degree in theology and educational sciences.
He was ordained a priest on 21 December 1984 in San Juan, Argentina, and returned to Japan on 26 February 1997.
Since priestly ordination he has held various positions in Argentina, Japan and at provincial level. In Argentina: catechist at the Domenico Savio Institute in Córdoba (1985-1987; catechist at the Michele Rua Institute in Córdoba (1987-1991); master of novices at the Institute of San Michele in La Plata (1991-1992 rector of the Ramos Mejia House in Buenos Aires (1992-1996), and provincial counsellor (1987-1992) In Japan: he studied to regain mastery of the Japanese language at the Salesian Study Centre in Oita (1997-1998); then served as spiritual assistant at the Salesian professional school of Ikue and director of the religious community of Suginami (1999-2004), rector of the Salesian Theological School in Chofu (2004-2010), and spiritual director of the Mary Help of Christian Association (2010-2014). At provincial level: moderator of the Provincial Council of Salesians (2007-2008), provincial counsellor and delegate for the formation of Salesian families (2007-2009), provincial delegate for former pupils of Don Bosco (2009-2012), vice-provincial of the Salesians in Japan (2010-2014); rector of the Provincial House (2010-2014); and since 2014, provincial of the Salesian Society of Saint John Bosco (Salesians) in Japan.
Appointment of auxiliaries of Osaka, Japan
The Holy Father has appointed as auxiliary bishops of the archdiocese of Osaka, Japan: Rev. Fr. Josep Maria Abella Batlle, C.M.F., parish priest of the Cathedral of the same metropolitan see, assigning him the titular see of Malamocco; and Rev. Paul Toshihiro Sakai, member of Opus Dei, currently secretary general of the Prelature of Opus Dei in Japan, assigning him the titular see of Novabarbara.
Rev. Fr. Josep Maria Abella Batlle, C.M.F.
The Rev. Fr. Josep Maria Abella Batlle, C. M.F., was born on 3 November 1949 in Lleida, Spain. After completing his studies in philosophy and theology at the Faculty of Jesuit Theology in Sant Cugat del Vallès, Barcelona, he was sent to Japan to learn the language. He gave his first profession on 22 August 1966, and his perpetual profession on 8 December 1972.
He was ordained a priest on 12 July 1975.
Since priestly ordination he has held the following positions: coadjutor of the parish of Midorigaoka in the diocese of Nagoya (1975-1977); counsellor of the Claretian Province (1976-1981); director of the Uminohoshi kindergarten in the archdiocese of Osaka (1981-1984); pastor of the Hirakata parish in the archdiocese of Osaka (1981-1988); director of the scholastic institute (1981-1991); director of the Akenohoshi kindergarten in the diocese of Nagoya (1989-1992); provincial of the Claretian Fathers (1981-1992); director of the Claretian Committee for Evangelization in Rome (1991-2003); and superior general of the Missionaries Sons of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (Rome) for two terms (2003-2015); following his return to Japan, he resided at the parish of Imaichi, in the archdiocese of Osaka (2015-2016); since 2016 he has been a member of the Shirokita Foraria vicariate, in the archdiocese of Osaka; and since 2017 he has been parish priest of the Cathedral of the archdiocese of Osaka.
Rev. Paul Toshihiro Sakai
Rev. Paul Toshihiro Sakai was born on 23 March 1960 in Ashiya, in the province of Hyogo, archdiocese of Osaka. After completing his studies at the Rokko Gakuin High School, in 1976 he began his formative journey within the Prelature of Opus Dei. In 1982 he completed his studies in pedagogy at the Ikuei University of Osaka, obtaining a licentiate.
In 1985 he went to Spain where he entered the seminary. In 1990 he received his doctorate in theology from the University of Navarre, and he returned to Japan in the same year. In February 1988 he gave his vow of fidelity and officially became a member of Opus Dei.
He was ordained a priest on 20 August 1988 in Torreciudad, Spain.
Since priestly ordination he has held the following positions: from 1990 to 2004: spiritual director of the Seido School in Nagasaki; from 2005 to 2010: professor of Christology at the University of San Tommaso in Ozaki, Hyogo; from 2007 to 2011: member of the Presbyteral Council of the archdiocese of Osaka; from 2012 to 2017: head of studies of the Opus Dei Prelature in Japan; from 2002 to 2018: spiritual director of the Opus Dei Prelature in Japan; from 2014 to 2018: spiritual director of the Seido Cultural Centre, in the Archdiocese of Osaka; since 2011, member of the Liturgical Commission of the archdiocese of Osaka; since 2014, director of the Commission of the archdiocese of Osaka for catechesis through Braille; and since 2018, secretary general of the Prelature of Opus Dei in Japan.
Appointment of Magnificent Rector of the Pontifical Lateran University of Rome
The Holy Father has appointed as Magnificent Rector of the Pontifical Lateran University of Rome the Most Rev. Vincenzo Buonomo, currently coordinator of doctorates in the Faculty of Civil Law of the same Pontifical University.
The aforementioned Professor Buonomo will assume his new position on 1 July 2018.
Professor Vincenzo Buonomo
Professor Vincenzo Buonomo was born in Gaeta on 17 April 1961. He holds a doctorate in Utroque Iure from the Pontifical Lateran University (1983). He specializes in international law, with a diploma in preparation for a diplomatic career.
He began teaching in the Faculty of Civil Law of the Pontifical Lateran University in 1984.
He was appointed as professor in the same faculty of Civil Law of the Pontifical Lateran University in 2001.
Since 1983 he has been a collaborator of the Holy See Representation in the United Nations Organizations and Entities for Food and Agriculture (F.A.O., I.F.A.D., W.F.P.), where he was appointed as office head in 2007.
Since 2014 he has served as a counsellor of Vatican City State.
