Pope Francis made several appointments in Europe, announced November 30 by the Vatican Press Office.
Resignation and appointment of metropolitan archbishop of Tiranë-Durrës, Albania
The Holy Father has accepted the resignation from the pastoral care of the metropolitan archdiocese of Tiranë-Durrës, Albania, presented by Archbishop George Frendo, O.P.
The Holy Father has appointed Bishop Arjan Dodaj as metropolitan archbishop of Tiranë-Durrës, Albania, transferring him from the titular see of Lestrona and the office of auxiliary of the same archdiocese.
Bishop Arjan Dodaj was born on 21 January 1977 in Laç-Kurbin. In 1993, after completing his studies in Albania, he emigrated to Italy, to Cuneo. In 1997 he requested to enter the Priestly Fraternity of the Sons of the Cross, Community House of Mary, based in Rome.
He studied philosophy and theology in preparation for the priesthood at the Pontifical Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum, where he obtained a bachelor’s degree.
He was ordained a priest on 11 May 2003 for the Diocese of Rome, as a member of the aforementioned Fraternity. In 2017 he transferred as fidei donum to the metropolitan archdiocese of Tiranë-Durrës.
Since priestly ordination, he has held the following offices: parish vicar (2003-2017); vice-rector of the rectory of San Giovanni della Malva and chaplain of the Albanian community in Rome (2004-2005), vicar general of the metropolitan archdiocese of Tiranë-Durrës, parish priest, head of university pastoral care, deputy secretary of the Albanian Episcopal Conference and general secretary of the diocesan Synod.
He was appointed auxiliary bishop of Tiranë-Durrës on 9 April 2020 and consecrated on the following 15 September.
Resignation and succession of bishop of Almería, Spain
The Holy Father has accepted the resignation from the pastoral care of the diocese of Almería, Spain, presented by Bishop Adolfo González Montes. He is succeeded by Bishop Antonio Gómez Cantero, until now coadjutor bishop of the same diocese.
Appointment of bishop of Dubrovnik, Croatia
The Holy Father has appointed the Reverend Roko Glasnović, of the clergy of the diocese of Šibenik and bursar of the same see, as bishop of the diocese of Dubrovnik, Croatia.
Msgr. Roko Glasnović was born on 2 July 1978 in Šibenik. He attended schools in Janjevo, Kosovo, and in Šibenik. He studied law at the University of Spalato, and philosophy and theology at the Faculty of Theology of the same city. He was awarded a licentiate in pastoral theology from the Pontifical Lateran University.
He was ordained a priest on 2 July 2005 for the Diocese of Šibenik.
He has held the following offices: parish priest in Šibenik-Njivice and in Žirje and Kaprije. Until now he has served as bursar of the diocese of Šibenik, commissioner for the pastoral care of the family and marriage, and secretary to the bishop.
Appointment of Holy See Permanent Observer at UNESCO
The Holy Father has appointed the Reverend Eric Soviguidi, nunciature counselor, until now in service at the Section for Relations with States of the Secretariat of State, as Holy See Permanent Observer at UNESCO.
Msgr. Eric Soviguidi was born in Abomey, Benin, on 21 March 1971.
He was ordained a priest on 10 October 1998 and incardinated in the archdiocese of Cotonou, Benin.
He holds a degree in canon law.
He entered the diplomatic service of the Holy See on 1 July 2005 and has served at the apostolic nunciatures in Haiti, Ghana, Tanzania, Guatemala, and at the Section for Relations with States of the Secretariat of State.
He knows French, Italian, English, and Spanish.
