Apostolic Bull

Courtesy translation. The original Albanian text is authoritative.

Bull

FRANCIS, BISHOP, SERVANT OF THE SERVANTS OF GOD, to his Venerable Brother GIOVANNI PERAGINE, Barnabite, until now Titular Bishop of Phoenice and Apostolic Administrator of Southern Albania, appointed Coadjutor Archbishop of Shkodër-Pult, greeting and Apostolic Blessing.

While she carries out her manifold life and her many activities, the whole Church takes from the Virgin Mother of God the example of the perfect imitation of Christ, sustained by that wonderful exchange and by the closest bonds that exist between him and the human race (cf. St Paul VI, Address at the close of the third session of the Second Vatican Council). The more we are renewed at the source of divine grace, the more useful it is for us, who in faith have been entrusted with the task of caring for the whole flock of the Lord, to place in the Lord all that is needed to ensure the progress of the Church, and to turn our mind with fatherly love towards the spiritual needs of the beloved flock of Shkodër-Pult in Albania, for which its Shepherd, Our Venerable Brother Angelo Massafra, O.F.M., has asked for help in carrying out his office in his archdiocese, in order to foster a more fruitful spiritual progress of the People of God.

This task, beloved Son, We have wished to entrust to you, whom We have found endowed with gifts of mind and heart that make you suited to carry out this episcopal work. Therefore, on the advice of the Secretariat of State and of the Dicastery for Bishops, with the fullness of Our Apostolic authority, We release you from the bond of your titular see and from the office of Apostolic Administrator, and We appoint you Coadjutor Archbishop of Shkodër-Pult, with the corresponding rights and obligations.

We desire that you make this decree known to the clergy and people of this ecclesial community, whom We exhort to receive you as father, teacher and guardian.

May the Father of mercies, Venerable Brother, through the intercession of Our Lady of Good Counsel and the example of your pastoral works, grant that this flock, and the whole Church, may become ever more fruitful day by day, rejoice in the holiness of her children and draw into her bosom people of good will, whom God, the Father of mercies, may fill with wisdom, knowledge and joy (cf. Eccl 2:26).

Given in Rome, at the Lateran, on the twentieth day of the month of May, in the year of the Lord two thousand and twenty-four, the twelfth of Our Pontificate.

Pope Francis