OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, JAN 8, 2003 (VIS) - Today, the Holy Father:

- Created the new diocese of Piedras Negras (area 56,608; population 549,040; priests 46; religious 76) Mexico, separated from the territory of Saltillo, dependent on the metropolitan Church of Monterrey. Reverend Alonso Gerardo Garza Trevino was appointed as the diocese's first Bishop. The Bishop-elect was born in 1947 in Monterrey, Mexico. He was ordained a priest in 1972 and till now was the archdiocesan bursar and parish priest of the Sacred Heart.

- Appointed Fr. Pedro Sbalchiero Neto, M.S., as Bishop Coadjutor of Vacaria (area 15,932; population 197,500; Catholics 180,000; priests 63; religious 212; permanent deacons 1) Brazil, till now Provincial Vicar of the Congregation of Missionaries of Our Lady of "La Salette" in Brazil and parish priest of "Sao Domingos Savio" in Sao Paulo. The Bishop-elect was born in 1953 at Sananduva, Brazil; he was ordained a priest in 1980.

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