The Holy Father accepted the resignation from the pastoral care of the Diocese of Avezzano, Italy, presented by HE Mons. Pietro Santoro.
The Holy Father has appointed the Rev. Mons. Giovanni Massaro, currently Vicar General of the Diocese of Andria, as Bishop of Avezzano (Italy).
Curriculum vitae
HE Mons. Giovanni Massaro was born on June 28, 1967, in Andria, province of Barletta-Andria-Trani and Diocese of Andria. After attending the Episcopal Seminary of Andria, he continued his training at the Pontifical Apulian Regional Seminary “Pius XI” in Molfetta and obtained a Baccalaureate in Theology at the Apulian Theological Institute.
He was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Andria on December 5, 1992.
From 1991 to 1993 he was Parish Vicar of the Parish of S. Riccardo in Andria; from 1993 to 2009 he was Vice-Rector and Bursar of the Episcopal Seminary of Andria; from 2002 to 2007 he was diocesan director of the Office for missionary activity; since 2007 he has been Moderator of the Curia and since 2009 Vicar General.
In addition to the service of Vicar General, Mons. Massaro is also Regional Spiritual Assistant of the MEIC (Ecclesial Movement of Cultural Commitment), Director of the Diocesan Catechetical Office, Chief Editor of the diocesan monthly “ Insieme ” and Administrator of the Madonna della Grazia Parish in Andria.
The Diocese of Avezzano (Latin: Dioecesis Marsorum) is a Roman Catholic ecclesiastical territory in central Italy, carrying this name since 1986. Before it was known as the Diocese of Marsi. It is a suffragan of the Archdiocese of L’Aquila.
The diocese of Marsi had its original seat at Pescina.
According to legend, the Gospel was preached to the Marsican region in Apostolic times by Saint Mark, and Saint Rufinus, their bishop, was martyred about 240. The episcopal see was originally at Santa Sabina church in Marruvium, but, as this place was isolated and therefore insecure, Pope Gregory XIII permitted, in 1580, the removal of the bishop’s residence to Pescina, where the cathedral was completed in 1596.
Among the bishops of the diocese was Saint Berardo of the family of the Counts of the Marsi. He was educated at Montecassino and became pontifical governor of the Campagna. On account of his justice and of his severity in that office, he was imprisoned by Pietro Colonna, but Pope Paschal II made him a cardinal, and bishop of his native town.
