AFRICA/ETHIOPIA - National Director of Pontifical Mission Societies appointed

Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - Cardinal Ivan Dias Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, on 4 April 2008, appointed Fr. Angelo Antolini, OFM Cap., National Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies in Ethiopia for a five year term (2008-2013).
The new National Director was born May 24, 1953 in Santa Vittoria in Matenano (province of Ascoli Piceno, Diocese of Fermo). He also has a brother in Fidei donum, in Brazil. Father Antolini entered Serafico Seminary in Fermo in 1962. In 1966, he transferred to Cingoli. He later attended the Novitiate in Camerino. He made his perpetual profession on June 6, 1976 and was ordained a priest on September 17, 1977 in the church of Ostra (Ancona). He has since ministered as follows: Assistant of the Serafico Seminary, Vocational Director (1997-1981); Missionary in the Apostolic Vicariate of Soddo-Hosanna, where he served as parish priest and head of catechist and youth formation, coordinator of the Neocatechumenal Way in Ethiopia (1981-2006); Pastor in Dubbo (1987-1990); Pastoral Director in the central region of the Vicariate (1990-1995); head of the Diocesan Department for Pastoral Ministry (since 2000); Vicar of the Capuchin Vice-Province of Ethiopia (since 2003). (SL) (Agenzia Fides 6/5/2008; righe 16, parole 194)