OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, JUL 26, 2000 (VIS) - The Holy Father:

- Accepted the resignation to the pastoral governing of the diocese of Santos, Brazil, presented by Bishop David Picao, upon having reached the age limit. He is succeeded by Coadjutor Bishop Jacyr Francisco Braido, C.SD.

- Accepted the resignation to the pastoral governing of the diocese of Iguatu, Brazil, presented by Bishop Jose Mauro Ramalho de Alarcon Santiago, upon having reached the age limit. He is succeeded by Coadjutor Bishop Jose Doth de Oliveira.

- Appointed Fr. Francisco Meinrad Merkel, C.S.Sp., director of the Father Libermann Institute in Salette, diocese of Rio do Sul, as bishop of Humaita (area 93,689, population 50,600, Catholics 38,000, priests 8, religious 19), Brazil. The bishop-elect was born in Hardheim, Germany, in 1944. He made his perpetual vows in the Congregation of the Holy Spirit in 1969 and was ordained a priest in 1971.

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