Appointment of metropolitan archbishop of Cosenza-Bisignano, Italy
Resignation and appointment of bishop of San Marco Argentano-Scalea, Italy
Appointment of auxiliary bishop of Chipata, Zambia
Appointment of metropolitan archbishop of Cosenza-Bisignano, Italy
The Holy Father has appointed Bishop Giovanni Checchinato of San Severo as metropolitan archbishop of Cosenza-Bisignano, Italy.
Curriculum vitae
Archbishop-elect Giovanni Checchinato was born on 20 August 1957 in Latina, in the diocese of Latina-Terracina-Sezze-Priverno.
He attended the Pontifical Leonine College of Anagni and the Alphonsian Academy in Rome. After obtaining a doctorate from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, he attended a course in bioethics at La Sapienza University, Rome.
He was ordained a priest on 4 July 1981 and incardinated in the then-diocese of Terracina-Latina.
He has held the following offices: vicar in the parish of San Francesco d’Assisi in Cisterna di Latina (1981-1988); teacher at the Paul VI Institute of Religious Sciences in Latina and at the regional seminary of Anagni (1983-1991); assistant for Catholic Action Youth (1981-1986); parish priest of the San Pio X parish in Borgo Isonzo di Latina (1988-1992); assistant for Catholic Action Adults and Families Section (1989-1994); director of the Family Pastoral Office, co-founder and ethical consultant for the Crescere Insieme diocesan centre (1989-2005); parish priest / archpriest of the parish of San Cesareo, co-cathedral of Terracina (1992-2005); rector of the Pontifical Leonine College of Anagni (2005-2015); parish priest of the parish of Santi Pietro e Paolo in Latina (2015-2016); and parish priest of Santa Rita in Latina (2016-2017).
On 13 January 2017 he was appointed bishop of San Severo and received episcopal consecration the following 23 April.
Within the Italian Episcopal Conference, he is a member of the Episcopal Commission for Migrations. Within the Apulian Episcopal Conference, he chairs the Commission for charity and health service.
Resignation and appointment of bishop of San Marco Argentano-Scalea, Italy
The Holy Father has accepted the resignation from the pastoral care of the diocese of San Marco Argentano-Scalea, Italy, presented by Bishop Leonardo Bonanno.
The Holy Father has appointed the Reverend Msgr. Stefano Rega, of the clergy of the diocese of Aversa, parish priest and director of the Diocesan Vocations Centre, as bishop of San Marco Argentano-Scalea, Italy.
Curriculum vitae
Msgr. Stefano Rega was born on 30 December 1968 in Villaricca, Naples. He attended the major episcopal seminary of Naples and the Pontifical Theological Faculty of Southern Italy, where he was awarded a licentiate in dogmatic theology.
He was ordained a priest on 29 June 1993 and incardinated in the diocese of Aversa.
He has held the following offices: educator at the major episcopal seminary of Naples (1996-2003); collaborator in the parish of Santi Giuseppe ed Eufemia in Carditello (1999-2003); rector of the diocesan seminary of Aversa, delegate for seminarians of the major seminary, collaborator in the parishes of Maria Santissima delle Grazie and San Luca Evangelista in Giugliano (2003-2017); member of the diocesan Presbyteral Council and of the College of Consultors; director of the diocesan Vocational Pastoral Office.
Since 2017 he has served as parish priest of the parish of San Nicola di Bari in Giugliano in Campania.
Appointment of auxiliary bishop of Chipata, Zambia
The Holy Father has appointed the Reverend Gabriel Msipu Phiri, until now in charge of fundraising for diocesan activities, as auxiliary bishop of the diocese of Chipata, Zambia, assigning him the titular see of Arae in Mauretania.
Curriculum vitae
Msgr. Gabriele Msipu Phiri was born in 13 July 1964 in Vubwi. He attended the Saint Augustine Major Seminary of Mpima, and the Saint Dominic Major Seminary of Lusaka.
On 15 September 1991 he was ordained a priest for the diocese of Chipata.
Following ordination, he first held the offices of parish vicar in Chadiza (1991-1994); parish priest in Chadiza (1994-1995); treasurer general and parish priest of Mchini Saint Athanazius and of Mbwindi (1995-1998); vicar general, and parish priest of Mchini (1999-2001). After completing his studies for a Certificate in Spirituality and Spiritual Direction from the Institute for Spiritual Leadership in Chicago, United States of America (2001-2002), he served as director of the Mphangwe Prayer Centre in the diocese of Chipata (2002-2003); and as vicar general and administrator of Saint Anne’s Cathedral (2003-2005). He was awarded a degree in business administration from Saint Augustine’s University in Mwanza, in Tanzania (2005-2008). He went on to serve as bursar general and human resources officer of the diocese of Chipata (2008-2009); vicar general and parish priest of Mary Mother of God (2009-2010); treasurer general, human resources officer of and parish priest of Mary Mother of God (2010-2012); finance and administration manager within the Episcopal Conference of Zambia (2013-2021); and, since 2021, manager for Diocesan Income Generating Activities (IGA).
