Appointment of auxiliary bishop of Palermo (Italy)

Pope Francis has appointed as auxiliary bishop of Palermo Br. Giovanni Salonia, OFM Cap., current director of ongoing formation for the Capuchin Province of Syracuse. He will assigned to titular see of Buthrotum.

Br. Giovanni Salonia was born in Ragusa on September 27, 1947.

He entered the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin on September 29, 1962.

He professed temporary vows on October 4, 1963, and perpetual vows on November 1, 1968.

He studied in institutes of the Capuchin Order.

He was ordained priest on July 3, 1971.

He completed the licentiate in theology with a concentration in spirituality at the Pontifical University ‘Antonianum’ and the licentiate in education at the Pontifical University ‘Salesianum’, both in Rome, and a specialization in Gestalt Therapy at the Gestalt Training Center in San Diego, California, USA.

He has published variously in the fields of formation and psychotherapy.

He is from the diocese of Ragusa and has lived in Noto in recent years.

Assignments:

• 1978-1981: Direction of Capuchin students in Ragusa
• 1980-1986:  Provincial definitor
• 1989-1991:  Provincial Vicar
• 1991-2001:  Provincial Minister – Province of Syracuse
• 2001-2007:  Superior and director of post-novices in Modica
• 2007-2010:  Provincial Minister – Province of Syracuse

Experience:

• In the fields of formation and communication in religious life
• Teacher of pastoral counseling in various seminaries
• Teacher of psychology and pastoral counseling at the Pontifical Theological Faculty of Sicily (Palermo)
• Co-director of the post-university school for specialization in Gestalt Psychotherapy HCC Kairòs (Ragusa – Rome – Venice)
• Professor at the Pontifical University ‘Antonianum’
• Collaborator in the course for the diploma in family pastoral care at the Pontifical University ‘Gregorianum’
• Professor at the San Paolo Theological Institute (Catania)
• Professor of social psychology at LUMSA (Palermo)
• Director of family counseling OASI CANA (Palermo)
• Director of the international online journal GTK
• Director of the second level master program in pastoral counseling (with the GTK Gestalt Institute and the Catholic University of Sacro Cuore)