VATICAN - The Pope appoints the Rector of the Pontifical Urban University, Mgr Ambrogio Spreafico, Coadjutor Bishop of Frosinone-Veroli-Ferentino

Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - The Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI has appointed Mgr Ambrogio Spreafico, until now rector of the Pontifical Urban University in Rome, Coadjutor Bishop of Frosinone-Veroli-Ferentino, granting him the faculties of a diocesan Ordinary.
Mgr Ambrogio Spreafico was born on 26 March 1950 in Garbagnate Monastero, province of Lecco and in the archdiocese of Milan. He was educated by the Congregazione dei Chierici Regolari di San Paolo (Barnabite Fathers). He was ordained a priest on 12 April 1975. He studied philosophy and theology at the Urban University and Biblical theology at the Pontificio Istituto Biblico di Roma, where he obtained a licentiate in 1978, and a doctorate in 1984. In 1976 he was incardinated in the diocese of Palestrina and then in the diocese of Rome (15 November 1988), where he resides and ministers.
He has ministered as follows: Docent in Hebrew at the Pontificio Istituto Biblico di Roma (1978-1991); since 1992 Docent in Old Testament studies at the Facoltà Teologica della Pontificia Università Urbaniana; rector of the same university (1997-2003); President of the Conference of Rectors of the Pontifical Universities in Rome (2000-2003); since 1993 collaborator at Santa Maria in Trastevere parish; since 1998 Consultor of the Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples. Since 2001 rector of the church of S. Egidio; since 2002 President of the archconfraternity of SS.mo Sacramento and S. Maria della Neve. In 2005 again appointed rector of Urban University. Since 10 April 1998 a Chaplain of His Holiness. He is the author of numerous biblical and spiritual works and specific dictionaries. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 3/7/2008)