Giovanni Angelo Becciu
His Excellency Giovanni Angelo Becciu | |
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Substitute of the Secretariat of State | |
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See | Rusellae |
Appointed | 10 May 2011 |
Predecessor | Fernando Filoni |
Other posts | Titular Archbishop of Rusellae |
Orders | |
Ordination |
27 August 1972 by Almeida Kanda |
Consecration |
1 December 2001 by Angelo Sodano |
Personal details | |
Born |
Pattada, Italy | June 2, 1948
Nationality | Italian |
Denomination | Roman Catholic |
Previous post |
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Styles of Giovanni Angelo Becciu | |
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Reference style | The Most Reverend |
Spoken style | Your Grace |
Religious style | Monsignor |
Posthumous style | none |
Giovanni Angelo Becciu (born 2 June 1948) was appointed Substitute for General Affairs by Pope Benedict XVI on 10 May 2011.[1] Becciu had previously been nuncio to Cuba.
Becciu was born in 1948 in Pattada (Sassari). After completing his studies in theology and philosophy he was ordained to the priesthood on 27 August 1972. He was invited to attend the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy to gain practical experience in diplomacy and at the same time a doctoral degree. After four years Becciu earned a doctoral degree in canon law and formally entered the diplomatic service of the Holy See on 1 May 1984. He worked at the Pontifical Representations in Central African Republic, Sudan, New Zealand, Liberia, United Kingdom, France and the United States. Becciu knows the French, English, Spanish and Portuguese languages.
On 15 October 2001, Pope John Paul II appointed him Apostolic Nuncio to Angola, at the same time as was customary elevating him as Titular Archbishop of Roselle. On 15 November of the same year he was appointed Apostolic Nuncio also to São Tomé and Principe. He received his episcopal consecration on 1 December 2001 with Cardinal Angelo Sodano as principal consecrator and Archbishop Paolo Romeo and Bishop Sebastiano Sanguinetti as principal co-consecrators.
On 23 July 2009 Pope Benedict named him Apostolic Nuncio to Cuba. There he played a role in the negotiations, led by Cardinal Jaime Lucas Ortega y Alamino, that led to the release of dozens of political prisoners.[2]
Archbishop Becciu remained in Cuba until 10 May 2011, when he was recalled to the Roman Curia to work as Substitute for General Affairs of the Secretariat of State, replacing Fernando Filoni, who was appointed Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples.
The Substitute for General Affairs usually meets with the Pontiff each day to handle the business of the Vatican, and his position might be compared roughly with that of a White House chief of staff. He reports directly to the Cardinal Secretary of State.
In January 2014 Becciu called on former vice-commander of the Swiss guard to give names regarding claims that a powerful ‘gay lobby’ existed in the Vatican. Retired Swiss Guard Commander Elmar Mäder told Swiss weekly Sonntag that a gay network existed in the Roman Curia, insinuating that it posed a “security risk” to the Pope.[3]
References
Diplomatic posts | ||
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Preceded by Aldo Cavalli |
Apostolic Nuncio to Angola 15 October 2001–23 July 2009 |
Succeeded by Novatus Rugambwa |
Preceded by Luigi Bonazzi |
Apostolic Nuncio to Cuba 23 July 2009–10 May 2011 |
Succeeded by Bruno Musarò |
Catholic Church titles | ||
Preceded by Fernando Filoni |
Substitute for General Affairs of the Secretariat of State 10 May 2011–present |
Incumbent |