Pietro Parolin
Encyclopedia
Pietro Parolin, born 17 January 1955, is an Italian
prelate
of the Roman Catholic Church
. He currently serves as the Holy See
's representative in Venezuela
since his appointment by Pope Benedict XVI
on 17 August 2009. Previously, he had served from 2002 as Undersecretary for Relations with States, the highest position in the Holy See
's diplomatic service after those of Cardinal Secretary of State and Secretary for Relations with States.
. After he was ordained on 27 April 1980, he took up graduate studies in canon law
and diplomacy
. He entered the Holy See
's diplomatic service in 1986 at the age of 31, and has served the Holy See as a diplomat for 20 years, in the nunciatures of Nigeria
and Mexico
, and in Rome as country director for Spain
, Andorra
, Italy
, San Marino
. He speaks Italian, English, French, and Spanish.
on 18 September 2006, at its headquarters in Vienna
, Austria
, Msgr. Parolin referred to this treaty as "the basis to pursue nuclear disarmament
and an important element for further development of nuclear energy applications for peaceful purposes." He said: "Since this treaty is the only multilateral legal instrument currently available, intended to bring about a nuclear weapons-free world, it must not be allowed to be weakened. Humanity deserves no less than the full cooperation of all states in this important matter."
Concerning recent developments in international negotiations on Iran's nuclear program, the Vatican official reaffirmed "that the present difficulties can and must be overcome through diplomatic channels, making use of all the means that diplomacy has at its disposal and considers necessary to eliminate all the elements which objectively impede mutual trust."
Vietnam has one of Asia's largest Catholic populations, with more than 6 million followers.
On 17 August 2009 Pope Benedict XVI appointed Msgr. Parolin to his new position as apostolic nuncio to Venezuela.
’s active contribution to the life of the Catholic community in Vietnam
, the strengthening of solidarity between religions and of the entire Vietnamese population, and the strong cohesion of the Catholic Church in Vietnam
with the nation through practical contributions to national construction. During the meeting, the two sides held in-depth and comprehensive discussions on bilateral relations, including issues related to the Catholic Church in Vietnam. The two sides also acknowledged the encouraging development in the relations between Vietnam and the Holy See since 1990. The two sides agreed that the first meeting of the Joint Working Group was a new and important step forward in their bilateral relations and greater efforts should be made to further promote bilateral ties.
The two sides agreed to hold the second meeting of the Joint Working Group. The time and venue of meeting will be agreed upon in due course." http://212.77.1.245/news_services/bulletin/news/23440.php?index=23440&lang=en#TESTO%20IN%20LINGUA%20ORIGINALE
appointed Msgr Parolin Apostolic Nuncio to Venezuela
and Titular Archbishop of Aquipendium. http://212.77.1.245/news_services/bulletin/news/24227.php?index=24227&lang=it and on 12 September 2009, with Tarcisio Cardinal Bertone
and William Cardinal Levada as co-consecrators, conferred episcopal ordination on him and on two other recently appointed apostolic nuncios Gabriele Giordano Caccia
and Franco Coppola
. Parolin's assignment was expected to be difficult, since conflicts between the State and the Church in Venezuela
were on the rise as President Hugo Chavez
attempted to advance his socialist revolution.
s on 26 September.
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
prelate
Prelate
A prelate is a high-ranking member of the clergy who is an ordinary or who ranks in precedence with ordinaries. The word derives from the Latin prælatus, the past participle of præferre, which means "carry before", "be set above or over" or "prefer"; hence, a prelate is one set over others.-Related...
of the Roman Catholic Church
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
. He currently serves as the Holy See
Holy See
The Holy See is the episcopal jurisdiction of the Catholic Church in Rome, in which its Bishop is commonly known as the Pope. It is the preeminent episcopal see of the Catholic Church, forming the central government of the Church. As such, diplomatically, and in other spheres the Holy See acts and...
's representative in Venezuela
Venezuela
Venezuela , officially called the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela , is a tropical country on the northern coast of South America. It borders Colombia to the west, Guyana to the east, and Brazil to the south...
since his appointment by Pope Benedict XVI
Pope Benedict XVI
Benedict XVI is the 265th and current Pope, by virtue of his office of Bishop of Rome, the Sovereign of the Vatican City State and the leader of the Catholic Church as well as the other 22 sui iuris Eastern Catholic Churches in full communion with the Holy See...
on 17 August 2009. Previously, he had served from 2002 as Undersecretary for Relations with States, the highest position in the Holy See
Holy See
The Holy See is the episcopal jurisdiction of the Catholic Church in Rome, in which its Bishop is commonly known as the Pope. It is the preeminent episcopal see of the Catholic Church, forming the central government of the Church. As such, diplomatically, and in other spheres the Holy See acts and...
's diplomatic service after those of Cardinal Secretary of State and Secretary for Relations with States.
Early life
Parolin was born in Schiavon, VicenzaVicenza
Vicenza , a city in north-eastern Italy, is the capital of the eponymous province in the Veneto region, at the northern base of the Monte Berico, straddling the Bacchiglione...
. After he was ordained on 27 April 1980, he took up graduate studies in canon law
Canon law
Canon law is the body of laws & regulations made or adopted by ecclesiastical authority, for the government of the Christian organization and its members. It is the internal ecclesiastical law governing the Catholic Church , the Eastern and Oriental Orthodox churches, and the Anglican Communion of...
and diplomacy
Diplomacy
Diplomacy is the art and practice of conducting negotiations between representatives of groups or states...
. He entered the Holy See
Holy See
The Holy See is the episcopal jurisdiction of the Catholic Church in Rome, in which its Bishop is commonly known as the Pope. It is the preeminent episcopal see of the Catholic Church, forming the central government of the Church. As such, diplomatically, and in other spheres the Holy See acts and...
's diplomatic service in 1986 at the age of 31, and has served the Holy See as a diplomat for 20 years, in the nunciatures of Nigeria
Nigeria
Nigeria , officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a federal constitutional republic comprising 36 states and its Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The country is located in West Africa and shares land borders with the Republic of Benin in the west, Chad and Cameroon in the east, and Niger in...
and Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
, and in Rome as country director for Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
, Andorra
Andorra
Andorra , officially the Principality of Andorra , also called the Principality of the Valleys of Andorra, , is a small landlocked country in southwestern Europe, located in the eastern Pyrenees mountains and bordered by Spain and France. It is the sixth smallest nation in Europe having an area of...
, Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
, San Marino
San Marino
San Marino, officially the Republic of San Marino , is a state situated on the Italian Peninsula on the eastern side of the Apennine Mountains. It is an enclave surrounded by Italy. Its size is just over with an estimated population of over 30,000. Its capital is the City of San Marino...
. He speaks Italian, English, French, and Spanish.
Undersecretary of State for Relations with States
Parolin has also been at the forefront of Vatican efforts to approve and implement the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty. Addressing the International Atomic Energy AgencyInternational Atomic Energy Agency
The International Atomic Energy Agency is an international organization that seeks to promote the peaceful use of nuclear energy, and to inhibit its use for any military purpose, including nuclear weapons. The IAEA was established as an autonomous organization on 29 July 1957...
on 18 September 2006, at its headquarters in Vienna
Vienna
Vienna is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Austria and one of the nine states of Austria. Vienna is Austria's primary city, with a population of about 1.723 million , and is by far the largest city in Austria, as well as its cultural, economic, and political centre...
, Austria
Austria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
, Msgr. Parolin referred to this treaty as "the basis to pursue nuclear disarmament
Nuclear disarmament
Nuclear disarmament refers to both the act of reducing or eliminating nuclear weapons and to the end state of a nuclear-free world, in which nuclear weapons are completely eliminated....
and an important element for further development of nuclear energy applications for peaceful purposes." He said: "Since this treaty is the only multilateral legal instrument currently available, intended to bring about a nuclear weapons-free world, it must not be allowed to be weakened. Humanity deserves no less than the full cooperation of all states in this important matter."
Concerning recent developments in international negotiations on Iran's nuclear program, the Vatican official reaffirmed "that the present difficulties can and must be overcome through diplomatic channels, making use of all the means that diplomacy has at its disposal and considers necessary to eliminate all the elements which objectively impede mutual trust."
Vietnam has one of Asia's largest Catholic populations, with more than 6 million followers.
On 17 August 2009 Pope Benedict XVI appointed Msgr. Parolin to his new position as apostolic nuncio to Venezuela.
Vietnam talks
Talks between the government and Vatican have been held since 1990. In the latest round of talks a high-level Vatican delegation has spent the week in Vietnam meeting with top Hanoi officials in the hope of laying the groundwork for formal diplomatic relations. Msgr. Parolin held talks with the Vietnamese government in February 2009 where they agreed that, "Vice Minister Quoc Cuong emphasised Vietnam’s consistent policy on the freedom of belief as well as the achievements and current situation on religious affairs in Vietnam in recent years. Vice Minister Cuong expressed his wish for the Holy SeeHoly See
The Holy See is the episcopal jurisdiction of the Catholic Church in Rome, in which its Bishop is commonly known as the Pope. It is the preeminent episcopal see of the Catholic Church, forming the central government of the Church. As such, diplomatically, and in other spheres the Holy See acts and...
’s active contribution to the life of the Catholic community in Vietnam
Vietnam
Vietnam – sometimes spelled Viet Nam , officially the Socialist Republic of Vietnam – is the easternmost country on the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia. It is bordered by China to the north, Laos to the northwest, Cambodia to the southwest, and the South China Sea –...
, the strengthening of solidarity between religions and of the entire Vietnamese population, and the strong cohesion of the Catholic Church in Vietnam
Roman Catholicism in Vietnam
The Roman Catholic Church in Vietnam is part of the worldwide Catholic Church, under the spiritual leadership of the Pope and curia in Rome. Vietnam has the fifth largest Catholic population in Asia, after the Philippines, India, China and Indonesia....
with the nation through practical contributions to national construction. During the meeting, the two sides held in-depth and comprehensive discussions on bilateral relations, including issues related to the Catholic Church in Vietnam. The two sides also acknowledged the encouraging development in the relations between Vietnam and the Holy See since 1990. The two sides agreed that the first meeting of the Joint Working Group was a new and important step forward in their bilateral relations and greater efforts should be made to further promote bilateral ties.
The two sides agreed to hold the second meeting of the Joint Working Group. The time and venue of meeting will be agreed upon in due course." http://212.77.1.245/news_services/bulletin/news/23440.php?index=23440&lang=en#TESTO%20IN%20LINGUA%20ORIGINALE
Nuncio
On 17 August 2009 Pope Benedict XVIPope Benedict XVI
Benedict XVI is the 265th and current Pope, by virtue of his office of Bishop of Rome, the Sovereign of the Vatican City State and the leader of the Catholic Church as well as the other 22 sui iuris Eastern Catholic Churches in full communion with the Holy See...
appointed Msgr Parolin Apostolic Nuncio to Venezuela
Apostolic Nuncio to Venezuela
The Apostolic Nuncio to Venezuela is the holder of a diplomatic position within the Catholic Church, who acts as Ambassador of the Holy See to Venezuela.-Apostolic Nuncios to Venezuela:*Serafino Vannutelli...
and Titular Archbishop of Aquipendium. http://212.77.1.245/news_services/bulletin/news/24227.php?index=24227&lang=it and on 12 September 2009, with Tarcisio Cardinal Bertone
Tarcisio Cardinal Bertone
Tarcisio Pietro Evasio Bertone, S.D.B. is an Italian prelate and diplomat. A Cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church, he currently serves as Cardinal Secretary of State and Camerlengo, having previously served as Archbishop of Vercelli from 1991 to 1995, as Secretary of the Congregation for the...
and William Cardinal Levada as co-consecrators, conferred episcopal ordination on him and on two other recently appointed apostolic nuncios Gabriele Giordano Caccia
Gabriele Giordano Caccia
Gabriele Giordano Caccia PhD JCL is an Italian Catholic prelate, since 16 July 2009 Apostolic Nuncio to Lebanon. He had previously served as Assessor for General Affairs of the Secretariat of State...
and Franco Coppola
Franco Coppola
Franco Coppola is the current Apostolic Nuncio to Burundi since his appointment by Pope Benedict XVI on 16 July 2009.Coppola was born in Maglie in 1957. He was ordained priest on 12 September 1981. He was incardinted in the diocese of Otranto. He attended the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy...
. Parolin's assignment was expected to be difficult, since conflicts between the State and the Church in Venezuela
Roman Catholicism in Venezuela
The Catholic Church in Venezuela is part of the worldwide Roman Catholic Church, under the spiritual leadership of the Pope, curia in Rome and the Venezuelan Bishops Conference....
were on the rise as President Hugo Chavez
Hugo Chávez
Hugo Rafael Chávez Frías is the 56th and current President of Venezuela, having held that position since 1999. He was formerly the leader of the Fifth Republic Movement political party from its foundation in 1997 until 2007, when he became the leader of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela...
attempted to advance his socialist revolution.
Nuncio to Venezuela
In 2010 President Chavez ordered a review of relations with the Holy See. The Venezuelan Episcopal Conference warned this week about growing political polarisation ahead of key legislative elections in September. Chavez has described local Catholic leaders as "troglodytes". In a televised speech on 14 July 2010, President Chavez said he was asking his foreign minister to examine a decades-old agreement with the Holy See. The accord granted privileges to the Catholic Church that other denominations did not enjoy, he said. He also challenged the Pope's authority, saying he was the Vatican's head of state but not Christ's emissary on Earth. "Christ does not need an ambassador. Christ is in the people and in those of us who fight for justice and freedom for the humble," he said. On 12 July, the Venezuelan bishops' conference expressed concern that "ideological and political polarisation" was creating a hostile environment ahead of the legislative electionVenezuelan parliamentary election, 2010
The 2010 parliamentary election in Venezuela took place on 26 September 2010 to elect the 165 deputies to the National Assembly. Venezuelan opposition parties, which had boycotted the previous election, thus allowing the governing United Socialist Party of Venezuela to gain a two-thirds...
s on 26 September.
External links
- Pope sends top diplomat to deal with Chavez, by John L Allen, JrJohn L. Allen, Jr.John L. Allen, Jr. is an American journalist based in Rome who specializes in news about the Catholic Church. He is senior correspondent for the National Catholic Reporter and vaticanologist of CNN and NPR. Allen is also the author of several books about the Catholic Church...
on Aug. 18, 2009, ncronline.org.