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Miami Archdiocese Gets New Auxiliary Bishop

VASSALLOMALTA.COM

Pope Francis has announced the new Auxiliary Bishop for the Archdiocese of Miami. He is Monsignor Peter Baldacchino from the European island nation of Malta.

Baldacchinno says he is excited to begin his new position of assisting Archbishop Thomas Wenski.

"It comes as a surprise to me from the fact that I’m Bishop-elect of the Archdiocese of Miami. I wait to learn what it involves," says Baldacchinno.

Baldacchino has spent the past 15 years serving as chancellor of the Mission of Turks and Caicos in the Caribbean. 

Wenski is confident that Baldacchino will find his ground here in Miami.

"He’s worked in a very small population but a very diverse population, celebrating mass in English, Spanish and also in Haitian Creole. So coming to Miami I think he’ll be a good fit," said Wenski.  "He’s a priest that’s worked in the trenches. He’s not a bureaucrat or living in some ivory tower. He’s been working as a pastor in the trenches so I think that will be stand him on good stead here in South Florida."

Baldacchino has to arrange a few things before beginning his new position. He'll be going back to Providenciales in the Turks and Caicos islands on Saturday to hand over anything that needs to be done. 

"This is home now," said Baldacchino.

The new Auxiliary Bishop was ordained in Newark, New Jersey before being sent to Providenciales. His family still lives in Malta. He spoke to his sister and told her the news so that she can spread it to everyone there.

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