Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - The Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, on 11 June 2010, accepted the renunciation of the pastoral government of the Apostolic Vicariate of Napo (Ecuador), presented by Bishop Paolo Mietto, C.S.I., in conformity with the Code of Canon Law, canon 401 § 1. On the same date the Holy Father appointed as the new Vicar Apostolic of Napo (Ecuador) Father Celmo Lazzari, C.S.I., Vicar General of the Congregation of the Fathers Giuseppini del Murialdo, assigning to him the titular see of Muzuca di Proconsolare.
Fr. Celmo Lazzari, C.S.I., was born 16 June 1956, in Garibaldi, diocese of Caxias do Sul, State of Rio Grande do Sul, (Brazil). After attending secondary school at the PP. Giuseppini Minor Seminary in Brazil he entered the Novitiate. He made his first vows on 1st March 1975 and perpetual vows 9 January 1982. He studied philosophy and theology in Londrina, Brazil. He was ordained a priest on 18 December 1982. Since his ordination he has ministered as follows: 1982-1987: Director of the Ana Rech religious community and rector of the Minor Seminary of the Giuseppini Fathers (Caxias do Sul); 1987-1989: Master of Giuseppini philosophy students at Caxias do Sul; 1990-1994: Master of Giuseppini theology students a Porto Alegre; 1991-1992: Course of formation for Formators, Salesian University, Rome; 1992-1994: Provincial Vicar PP. Giuseppini in Brazil; 1994-2000: Superior Provincial PP. Giuseppini in Brazil; 2000-2006: General Counsellor for the Congregation and in charge of PP. Giuseppini Missions (Rome); since 2006: Vicar General of the Congregation (Rome).
The Vicariate Apostolic di Napo, was created in 1871. It covers an area of 24,600 sq. km, and has a population of 102,760 of which 85,226 are Catholics, gathered in 20 parishes and there are 85 chapels. The Vicariate has 23 priests (7 diocesan, 14 religious and 2 Fidei donum priests) and 5 religious Brothers. Some 68 women religious play an active part in the work of evangelisation. There are 5 major seminarians. (SL) (Agenzia Fides 12/06/2010)
