Resignation and appointment of metropolitan archbishop of Antananarivo, Madagascar
Appointment of apostolic nuncio in Zambia and Malawi
Appointment of bishop of Zomba, Malawi
Appointment of president of the Holy See Agency for the Evaluation and Promotion of Quality in Ecclesiastical Universities and Faculties
Appointment of member of the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences
Appointment of member of the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences
Appointment of member of the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences
Resignation and appointment of metropolitan archbishop of Antananarivo, Madagascar
The Holy Father has accepted the resignation from the pastoral care of the metropolitan archdiocese of Antananarivo, Madagascar, presented by Archbishop Odon Marie Arsène Razanakolona.
The Holy Father has appointed Bishop Jean de Dieu Raoelison of Ambatondrazaka as metropolitan archbishop of Antananarivo.
Appointment of apostolic nuncio in Zambia and Malawi
The Holy Father has appointed the Reverend Msgr. Gian Luca Perici, nunciature counsellor, as apostolic nuncio in Zambia and Malawi, at the same time elevating him to the titular see of Bolsena, with the dignity of archbishop.
Curriculum vitae
Msgr. Gian Luca Perici was born in Bassano del Grappa, Vicenza, on 17 September 1964. He was ordained a priest on 21 September 1991, and incardinated in the diocese of Velletri-Segni.
He graduated in canon law.
He entered the Holy See Diplomatic Service on 1 July 2001, and has served in the apostolic nunciature in Mexico, Haiti, Malta, Angola, Brazil, Sweden, Spain and Portugal.
He knows French, English, Portuguese and Spanish.
Appointment of bishop of Zomba, Malawi
The Holy Father has appointed the Reverend Alfred Chaima, of the clergy of Blantyre, until now secretary general of the Episcopal Conference of Malawi, as bishop of the diocese of Zomba, Malawi.
Curriculum vitae
Msgr. Alfred Chaima was born on 14 July 1970 in Nambera, archdiocese of Blantyre. He attended the Saint Pius XII Minor Seminary, and studied philosophy in Saint Anthony’s Major Seminary in Kachebere and theology in Saint Peter’s Major Seminary in Zomba, obtaining a diploma in theology from the University of Malawi.
He was ordained a priest on 4 July 1998 for the archdiocese of Blantyre.
Following ordination, he first served as a teacher at Saint Patrick’s secondary school and vicar of the Mzedi parish (1998-2000), parish priest of the Njuli parish (2000-2001), and rector and teacher at the Saint Pius XII Seminary (2000-2004). He was awarded a bachelor’s degree in theology, a licentiate in pastoral theology, and a doctorate in theological philosophy from the Catholic University of Eastern Africa, in Nairobi (2004-2010). He went on to hold the roles of professor at the Catholic University of Eastern Africa (2006-2010 and 2016-2022), secretary to the archbishop of Blantyre and archdiocesan chancellor (2010-2012), deputy parish priest of the Cathedral and coordinator of the archdiocesan Pastoral Centre, Limbe (2010-2014), director of the Nantipwili Pastoral Centre, archdiocese of Blantyre (2014-2022), and professor at the University of Malawi (2015-2022). Until now he has served as secretary general of the Episcopal Conference of Malawi.
Appointment of president of the Holy See Agency for the Evaluation and Promotion of Quality in Ecclesiastical Universities and Faculties
The Holy Father Francis has appointed the Reverend Armand Puig i Tàrrech, rector of the Ateneu Universitari Sant Pacià in Barcelona, as president of the Holy See Agency for the Evaluation and Promotion of Quality in Ecclesiastical Universities and Facilities.
Curriculum vitae
The Reverend Armand Puig i Tàrrech was born in La Selva del Camp, Spain, on 9 March 1953 and was ordained a priest on 25 April 1981 for the archdiocese of Tarragona. He was awarded a licentiate in Sacred Scripture from the Pontifical Biblical Institute in Rome, and a doctorate in the same discipline from the Pontifical Biblical Commission. He has taught in various faculties and institutes of theology. He has served as dean of the Facultat de Teologia de Catalunya and is currently rector of the Ateneu Universitari Sant Pacia in Barcelona.
Appointment of member of the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences
The Holy Father has appointed the distinguished Professor Tongdong Bai, professor of philosophy at Fudan University, People’s Republic of China, as member of the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences.
Curriculum vitae
The distinguished Professor Tongdong Bai was born on 4 June 1970 in Beijing, People’s Republic of China. He was awarded a doctorate in philosophy from Boston University, United States of America, in 2004. He has served as professor at Xavier University, United States of America. He is currently professor at Fudan University, New York University School of Law and New York University Shanghai. He is the author of numerous publications regarding Chinese philosophy and political philosophy.
Appointment of member of the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences
The Holy Father has appointed the distinguished Professor Justin Farrell, professor of sociology at the Yale School of the Environment at Yale University, United States of America, as member of the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences.
Curriculum vitae
The distinguished Professor Justin Farrell was born on 28 December 1983 (39 years of age) in Cheyenne, United States of America. He was awarded a doctorate in sociology from the University of Notre Dame, United States of America. He is professor of sociology at the Yale School of the Environment at Yale University. He has received numerous honours within the academic sphere. He has numerous publications to his credit on the migration of North American indigenous peoples, the impact of Covid-19 and on rural populations.
Appointment of member of the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences
The Holy Father has appointed the distinguished Professor Tracey Anne Patrice Rowland, professor of theology at the University of Notre Dame, Australia, as member of the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences.
Curriculum vitae
The distinguished Professor Tracey Anne Patrice Rowland was born on 7 July 1963 (59 years of age) in Ipswich, Australia. She was awarded two doctorates in theology from the University of Cambridge, United Kingdom, and the Pontifical Lateran University, Rome. She has served as dean of the John Paul II Institute for Marriage and Family in Melbourne, and as a member of the International Theological Commission. She is professor of theology at the University of Notre Dame, Australia. She won the 2020 Ratzinger Prize. She has published numerous articles, in particular in fundamental theology, theological anthropology and ecumenism.
