MANILA, June 27, 2012–The Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI yesterday appointed Vincenzo Paglia, bishop of the diocese of Terni-Narni-Amelia, Italy, as the new president of the Pontifical Council for the Family. He succeeds Ennio Cardinal Antonelli, whose resignation from the same office the Holy Father accepted, upon having reached the age limit.
The Pope also elevated Paglia to the dignity of archbishop.
The Pontifical Council for the Family was established by Pope John Paul II on May 9, 1981 with his motu proprio, Familia a Deo Instituta. A motu proprio (Latin for “of his own accord”) is a document issued by the Pope on his own initiative and personally signed by him.
The Pontifical Council for the Family replaced the Committee for the Family that Pope Paul VI had established in 1973.
The Council is part of the Curia of the Roman Catholic Church which promotes the pastoral care of families, protects their rights and dignity in the Church and in civil society.
The Council’s advisory board consists of Bishops, and members of the Council include lay people among whom is the Supreme Knight of the Knights of Columbus Carl A. Anderson.
Anderson was in Manila in April during the 9th National Convention of the Knights of Columbus. (CBCP for Life)
