POPE TO INAUGURATE YEAR FOR PRIESTS ON 19 JUNE

VATICAN CITY, 9 JUN 2009 (VIS) - In the Vatican Basilica at 6 p.m. on Friday 19 June, Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Benedict XVI will preside at Second Vespers to mark the opening of the Year for Priests, which coincides with the 150th anniversary of the death of St. Jean Marie Vianney "Cure of Ars".

OP/OPENING YEAR FOR PRIESTS/... VIS 20090609 (70)

OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, 9 JUN 2009 (VIS) - The Holy Father:

- Accepted the resignation from the pastoral care of the diocese of Wilcannia-Forbes, Australia, presented by Bishop Christopher Henry Toohey, in accordance with canon 401 para. 2 of the Code of Canon Law.

- Appointed Bishop Otto Separy, auxiliary of Aitape, Papua New Guinea, as bishop of the same diocese (area 18,200, population 105,800, Catholics 78,400, priests 25, religious 98).

RE:NER/.../TOOHEY:SEPARY VIS 20090609 (80)