New bishop in Ragusa: Monsignor Giuseppe La Placa

VATICAN CITY – The Pope has appointed Msgr. Giuseppe La Placa, currently vicar general of the diocese of Caltanissetta. This was reported by the Bulletin of the Vatican press office.

Monsignor La Placa was born on November 16, 1962 in Resuttano. He is currently vicar general of the Diocese of Caltanissetta and canon of the Cathedral of Caltanissetta. The announcement of his appointment as bishop was made this morning in the Cathedral of Ragusa by the current apostolic administrator Don Sebastiano Roberto Asta. Immediately afterwards, the chancellor of the diocese, don Paolo La terra, read the letter from the new bishop to the new diocese.

The announcement of the appointment of the new bishop of Ragusa, Monsignor Giuseppe La Placa was given today at noon at the same time in the cathedrals of Ragusa and Caltanissetta. In Caltanissetta, the announcement was made by the bishop, Monsignor Mario Russotto. Monsignor Giuseppe La Placa addressed a greeting to the diocese of Ragusa. After the announcement of his appointment by the apostolic administrator, Monsignor Roberto Asta, the message of the new bishop was read by the chancellor of the diocese of Ragusa, Don Paolo La Terra. “I prepare to come to you – wrote La Placa – in simplicity of heart, with the only desire to serve your joy and be a sign and instrument of Christ, the only Shepherd and guide of our souls”. In the message he dwells on the suffering of “this very difficult time”, on mercy “the center of Christian life and the very heart of God” and on communion “which we are called to build” as a “sign and witness”. The bishop addressed a greeting and an “affectionate thought” to the emeritus bishops Monsignor Carmelo Cuttitta and Monsignor Paolo Urso; to the original bishops of Ragusa Monsignor Giambattista Diquattro, apostolic nuncio to Brazil and Monsignor Carmelo Ferraro, archbishop emeritus of Agrigento, to the apostolic administrator Monsignor Roberto Asta, to priests, deacons, seminarians, lay faithful, brothers in the Christian faith that do not belong to the Catholic Church. “Of all of you – writes Monsignor La Placa – I want to be a traveling companion, brother and friend”. Then he greeted you to the civil and military authorities and to those who are dedicated to leading and governing our cities. Finally, a heartfelt and moved thanks to the Church of Caltanissetta and to the bishop Monsignor Mario Russotto.