AMERICA/BOLIVIA - The Pope accepts resignation of Auxiliary Bishop of Apostolic Vicariate of El Beni and appoints successor

Vatican City (Fides Service) - The Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI on 6 June 2007 accepted the renunciation of the office of Auxiliary of the Apostolic Vicariate of El Beni (Bolivia), presented by Bishop Manuel Eguiguren Galarraga, O.F.M., titular Bishop of Salpi, in conformity with the Code of Canon Law, canon. 401 § 1 and canon 411. The Holy Father appointed auxiliary of the Apostolic Vicariate of El Beni (Bolivia) Rev. Father Francisco Focardi, O.F.M., former vicar general of Tarija and at present on mission in the Apostolic Vicariate of Camiri, assigning to him the titular see of Cenculiana.
Rev. Francisco Focardi, O.F.M., was born at Rignano sull’Arno (diocese of Fiesole, Italy), on 9 February 1949. He studied philosophy in Florence and (1969-1971) theology in Fiesole (1971-1975). He entered the Order of Friars Minor and made his solemn profession on 8 December 1972. He was ordained a priest on 18 May 1975. Sent on mission to Bolivia he arrived on 17 October 1975, and ministered as follows: 1975-1976: assistant priest at Lagunillas, Vicariate Ap. of Camiri; 1976-1979: parish priest at Camiri; 1978-1979: inspector for Catholic education in the Escuelas de Cristo; 1979-1980: parish priests at Villamontes and army chaplain, Vic. Ap. Camiri; 1980-1983: Guardian of the Franciscan Friary in Tarija; 1983: Vice novice master at La Verna, Italy; 1984-2000: parish priest at Cuevo. provincial definitor of the Franciscans in Bolivia for two consecutive hree year terms (1993-2002); 2000-2003: parish priest at Macharetí, Vicariato Ap. of Camiri; 1994-2003: Vicar General of the Vicariate Apostolic of Cuevo; 2002-2006: Guardian of the Franciscan Friary in Tarija; 2004-2006: Vicar General of Tarija. Since 2006 he has been at the parish of Villamontes, Vicariate Ap. of Camiri. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 6/6/2007; Righe 20; Parole 268)