Bishop Marco Prastaro

The Pope has appointed Father Marco Prastaro—a priest of the Archdiocese of Turin—as Bishop of the Diocese of Asti. Until now, he has served as Pastor of the Saint Ignatius of Loyola parish in Turin, Episcopal Vicar for the city, and Moderator of the Archiepiscopal Curia. Father Marco Prastaro was born in Pisa on December 8, 1962. After completing his secondary education, he entered the Seminary of Turin; he was incardinated into the Archdiocese upon his priestly ordination on May 22, 1988. Following several years of priestly ministry as an assistant pastor—serving at the Saints Peter and Paul parish in Carmagnola (1988–1994), the Saints Peter and Paul parish in Turin (1994–1996), and the Jesus the Worker (Gesù Operaio) parish in Turin (1996–1999)—he made himself available to serve in Kenya as a *fidei donum* priest. While in Africa, he served as pastor in Lodokejek and as Vicar General of the Diocese of Maralal from 2006 to 2010. Upon returning to the Archdiocese, he assumed pastoral leadership of the Saint Ignatius of Loyola parish in Turin in 2012, while also serving as Director of the Diocesan Missionary Office and Delegate for foreign priests. He is a member of the College of Consultors, the Presbyteral Council, and the leadership board of the Missio Foundation. Since September 1, 2016, he has served as Territorial Episcopal Vicar for the city district of Turin and as Moderator of the Archiepiscopal Curia.