EUROPE/ITALY - “In their service in Argentina the sons of Don Orione fulfil the passionate longing of their Founder to render more dignified the life of the humble people”: Don Orione Director General comments appointment of Orione Bishop as Bishop of Anatuya diocese, one of the poorest in Argentina

Rome (Fides Service) - “The Pope has appointed our confrere Father Adolfo Armando Uriona Bishop of the diocese of Anatuya. We welcome the news as a sign of confidence in our Father Adolfo and a sign of esteem and affection for the Orione family which is preparing to celebrate the canonisation of its Founder. As members of a humble Congregation founded to serve the Church and the poor, we feel greatly honoured that our brother has been chosen to be a successor of the Apostles in one of the poorest dioceses in Argentina” said Orione Director General Father Roberto Simionato.
Anatuya is in Chaco, 1,000 km north west of Buenos Aires. It is one of the dioceses with the largest number of Orione fathers. Father Simionato continued: “I am certain that in heaven Don Orione is rejoicing and is saying what he said to Abbot Caronti, all those years ago on 17 March 1937, after sending Father Contardi, as his first missionary in Chaco: . I think that in their service in Argentina the sons of Don Orione fulfil the passionate longing of their Founder to render the life of the humble more dignified, ‘giving Christ to the people and the people to his Church” (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 5/3/2004; Righe 15; Parole 238)