Bishop of Patti
The Pope has appointed Msgr. Guglielmo Giombanco, Vicar General of the Diocese of Acireale, as Bishop of Patti. Msgr. Giombanco was born in Catania on September 15, 1966. After completing his secondary education at the teacher-training institute, he pursued philosophical studies at the Theological Institute of Catania; subsequently, he was sent to the Pontifical Roman Major Seminary to attend theology courses at the Lateran University, where he obtained a Baccalaureate in Theology. At the same university, he earned a Doctorate in *utroque iure* (both canon and civil law) and later attended the *Studio Rotale* (the training course of the Roman Rota). He was ordained a priest on September 7, 1991, and incardinated into the Diocese of Acireale. Following his ordination, he served as: Secretary to the Bishop and Vice-Chancellor of the Curia (1992–2002); pastoral assistant at the parish of Santa Maria del Carmelo in Acireale (1992–1995); Promoter of Justice and Defender of the Bond at the diocesan tribunal (1997–2000); Judicial Vicar (2000–2012); and Judge at the Sicilian Regional Ecclesiastical Tribunal (2001–2006). Since 2012, he has served as Vicar General of the Diocese of Acireale. He teaches Canon Law at the Theological Institute of Catania. He is a member of the Presbyteral Council and the College of Consultors, as well as the administrator of the Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul in Acireale. His other roles have included: Episcopal Vicar for Divine Worship and the Sacraments; Coordinator of the diocesan commission for the ongoing formation of the clergy; person in charge of young priests; member of the commission for the scrutiny of candidates for ministries and Holy Orders; chaplain to the Municipal Police Force of Acireale; and assistant to the association for volunteering in local health and social care units. On September 13, 2012, he was named a Prelate of Honour of His Holiness. He has several publications on canon law to his credit.