AMERICA/PARAGUAY - The Pope appoints new Vicar Apostolic of Chaco Paraguayo

Monday, 13 February 2006

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Vatican City (Fides Service) - The Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI on 13 February 2006, appointed Vicar Apostolic of Chaco Paraguayo (Paraguay) Rev. Fr Edmundo Ponziano Valenzuela Mellid, SDB, Missionary in Angola, assigning to him the titular see of Uzali.
Rev. Fr Edmundo Ponziano Valenzuela Mellid, S.D.B., was born on 19 November 1944 in Villarrica del Espíritu Santo, Paraguay. After primary school he was sent to a local Salesian school where he became an aspirant (1955-1960), later he studied philosophy in Argentina (1962-1964), and then theology at the Pontifical Salesian University in Rome (1967-1971), where he returned in 2002-2005 for a Doctorate in Education Science (2002-2005). He made his profession on 29 January in 1968 and was ordained a priest on 3 April 1971. He has ministered as follows: prefect of studies at Ypacarai Minor Seminar (1971-1973); director of post-Novitiate in Asunción (1974-1977); provincial youth pastoral delegate, Asunción (1975-1980); rector of Salesian College, Asunción (1980-1984); president of National Catholic Education Association (1983-1985); director of Mgr. Lasagna College and Religious Community (1986-1991); councillor of Salesian Province in Paraguay (1985-1987); vicar of Salesian Province in Paraguay (1988-1991); secretary of the Bishops’ Commission for Education (1981-1991); mission in Angola: assistant priest, Salesian community vicar, (studies in Rome), director and parish priest of the Salesian mission in Lwena, Angola (1992-2006).
The Apostolic Vicariate of Chaco Paraguayo was created in 1948 and entrusted to the Salesians of Don Bosco. It extends over the civil region of Alto Paraguay. It has an area of 96,030 sq. km, a population of 18,200, assisted by 5 Salesian priests, 1 Brother, 8 women religious. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 13/2/2006; Righe 22; Parole 276)