OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

Vatican City, 16 April 2014 (VIS) – The Holy Father has:

- appointed Bishop Zbigniew Kiernikowski of Siedlce, Poland, as bishop of Legnica (area 7,080, population 851,500, Catholics 776,700, priests 475, religious 279), Poland. He succeeds Bishop Stefan Cichy, whose resignation upon reaching the age limit was accepted by the Holy Father.

- appointed Bishop Joao Bosco Barcosa De Sousa, O.F.M., of Uniao da Vitoria, Brazil, as bishop of Osasco (area 2,477, population 2,490,000, Catholics 2,051,000, priests 128, religious 284), Brazil. He succeeds Bishop Ercilio Turco, whose resignation upon reaching the age limit was accepted by the Holy Father.

- appointed Bishop Kazimierz Gurda, formerly auxiliary of Kielce, Poland, as bishop of Siedlce (area 11,440, population 737,600, Catholics 726,600, priests 656, religious 392), Poland.

- appointed Msgr. Giuseppe Piemontese, O.F.M. Conv., as bishop of Terni-Narni-Amelia (area 871, population 159,700, Catholics 157,900, priests 130, permanent deacons 23, religious 121) Italy. The bishop-elect was born in Monte Sant'Angelo, Italy in 1946, and was ordained a priest in 1971. He gave his perpetual vows in 1977. He has served as priest in a parish in Japigia, Bari, member of the definitor of the Province, provincial minister and custodian of the Sacred Convent of Assisi.