Appointment of bishop of Melfi-Rapolla-Venosa, Italy

The Holy Father has appointed as bishop of Melfi-Rapolla-Venosa, Italy, the Rev. Msgr. Ciro Fanelli, of the clergy of the diocese of Lucera-Troia, vicar general of the same diocese and parish priest of the Cathedral.

Msgr. Ciro Fanelli

Msgr. Ciro Fanelli was born on 2 October 1964 in Lucera, in the province of Foggia. After attending the institutional course in philosophy and theology at the Pontifical Interregional Seminary of Campania in Posillipo, Naples, he obtained a licentiate in moral theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome.

He received priestly ordination on 15 September 1990 and was incardinated in the clergy of Lucera-Troia.

He has served as personal secretary to the bishops Castielli and Zerillo, and has held the office of spiritual director of the episcopal seminary, unitary assistant of diocesan Catholic Action, parish priest of San Giacomo Maggiore in Lucera and vicar general.

For several years he was a member of the administration board of the “Casa Sollievo della Sofferanza” of San Giovanni Rotondo.

During the recent period of sede vacante he was selected as diocesan administrator. He is currently vicar general and parish priest of the Cathedral of Lucera.