OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, FEB 4, 2004 (VIS) - The Holy Father:

- Accepted the resignation from the pastoral care of the diocese of Cahors, France presented by Bishop Maurice Gaidon upon having reached the age limit.

- Appointed Bishop Angel Francisco Simon Piorno of Cajamarca, Peru as bishop of Chimbote (area 23,500, population 655,000, Catholics 570,000, priests 47, religious 114), Peru. He accepted the resignation from the pastoral care of the same diocese presented by Bishop Luis Armando Bambaren Gastelumendi, S.J. upon having reached the age limit.

- Appointed Bishop Ivo Baldi Gaburri of Huaraz, Peru as bishop prelate of Huari (area 23, 000, population 300,000, Catholics 294,000, priests 41, religious 30), Peru.

- Appointed Bishop Antonio Santarsiero, O.S.G., prelate of Huari, Peru, as bishop of Huacho (area 14,227, population 495,000, Catholics 412,000, priests 31, religious 54), Peru.

- Appointed Bishop Jose Eduardo Velasquez Tarazona, coadjutor bishop of Tacna and Moquegua and apostolic administrator of Huacho, Peru, as bishop of Huaraz (area 13,818, population 350,200, Catholics 300,100, priests 60, religious 62) Peru.
RE:NER/./. VIS 20040204 (180)