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ZENIT, February 11, 1999 - DAILY DISPATCH
The World Seen From Rome
Substitutes Bishop Romero Who Will Represent Pope in Canada
VATICAN CITY, FEB 11 (ZENIT).- John Paul II made public today his
appointment of a new apostolic nuncio in Colombia, Bishop Beniamino Stella, who
up to now held the same office in Cuba.
Bishop Stella was one of the important figures in the preparatios for John
Paul II's visit to Cuba in January of 1998. He had been the Pope's "ambassador"
in Havana since December 15, 1992, and has been a key person in the relations
between the Church and the government of Fidel Castro during the last six years.
He adopted a line of sincere dialogue, recognizing the openings made by the
Communist Party and being firm in claims for libertywhich the Church cannot
renounce, such as a presence in the media and inthe teaching of religion in
schools.
Bishop Stella, who is Italian, entered the diplomatic service of the Holy
See in 1970. At the end of the 80s he had represented the Holy Father in Chad
and in the Central African Republic.
Stella is succeeding Bishop Paolo Romeo in the apostolic nunciature of
Colombia, who has been named by John Paul II nuncio in Canada. Bishop Romeo, who
is also Italian, was nuncio in Colombia from April 24, 1990. Prior to that he
had been apostolic nuncio in Haiti for six years.
The apostolic nuncio, known generally as the Pope's "ambassador,"
is the Supreme Pontiff's representative before a civil government or before
Catholic communities existing in the State to which he is accredited.
The principal task of the apostolic nuncio is to make ties between the
HolySee and the particular Churches of the territory to which he has
beenassigned, more solid and effective. Likewise, he must promote and
supportrelations between the Holy See and civil authorities, avoiding politics
orintervening in internal affairs.
One of the special attributes of the apostolic nuncio relates to the
appointment of bishops in the country where he works. It is his responsibility
to transmit or propose to the Holy See the names of candidates as well as to
provide background information on those who are to be promoted, in keeping with
the norms of the Holy See.
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