Resignation of archbishop of Antofagasta, Chile, and appointment of successor

The Holy Father has accepted the resignation from the pastoral governance of the archdiocese of Antofagasta, Chile, presented by His Excellency Msgr. Pablo Lizama Riquelme.

The Pope has appointed as archbishop of Antofagasta, Chile, His Excellency Msgr. Ignacio Francisco Ducasse Medina, currently bishop of Valdivia, Chile.

Msgr. Ignacio Francisco Ducasse Medina

Msgr. Ignacio Francisco Ducasse Medina was born in Santiago, Chile on 8 November 1956. He carried out his philosophical and theological studies in the Pontifical Major Seminary of Santiago, obtaining a bachelor’s degree in theology.

He was ordained a priest on 24 march 1984, and was appointed as formator in the seminary. From 1987 to 1989 he attended the Pontifical Lateran University, where he obtained a licentiate in canon law. He returned to Chile where he served as prefect of the major seminary, rector of the same seminary, judge of the ecclesiastical tribunal, canon of the Cathedral Chapter and member of the archdiocesan Commission for Liturgy.

On 31 May he was appointed as bishop of Valdivia. He received episcopal consecration on the following 13 July.

He was secretary general of the Episcopal Conference of Chile from 2011 to 2016.