Historic Episcopal Nomination Highlights Italo-Albanian Church Assembly in Lungro
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The Cathedral of Saint Nicholas of Myra in Lungro hosted the 38th annual Diocesan Assembly of the Eparchy of Italo-Albanians of Continental Italy on Saturday, August 30, 2025. The gathering, presided over by His Excellency Most Rev. Donato Oliverio, brought together priests, deacons, religious sisters, and lay faithful for a day of communal reflection and pastoral sharing that left a profound mark on all participants. The chosen theme resonated with apostolic urgency: "What we have seen and heard, we proclaim to you" (1 John 1:3). Bringing Christ into the veins of humanity: protagonists of Evangelization."
A Call to Modern Evangelization
The morning began with the Divine Liturgy at 8:00 AM, followed at 10:30 by a keynote address from His Excellency Most Rev. Giuseppe Alberti, Bishop of Oppido Mamertina-Palmi, titled "Proclaiming Christ in Today's World." In his comprehensive presentation, the Padua-born prelate emphasized three pivotal moments for evangelization: experience, Liturgy, and prayer—essential dimensions of Christian life that call believers to bring Christ forth by placing themselves at the service of the community.
Drawing on the wisdom of Saint Gregory of Nyssa, Bishop Alberti spoke of humanity's need to shed the "tunics of skin" that obstruct full adherence to God, yet also serve as the means through which one can freely return to Him by stripping away carnal mentality and embracing Christ. The "new man," he argued, must divest himself of old garments to become a true proclaimer of Christ.
A Historic Moment at the Sixth Hour
The assembly's most emotional moment arrived at precisely noon—the sixth hour—when Bishop Oliverio publicly announced the episcopal nomination of Papàs Raffaele De Angelis as the new bishop of the Eparchy of Piana degli Albanesi in Sicily. The news, conveyed through official channels from the Apostolic Nunciature in Italy, filled the gathered community with profound joy.
The appointment marks a historic milestone for Italo-Albanian communities, as Father De Angelis becomes the first bishop appointed by Pope Leo XIV for a Sicilian diocese, succeeding His Eminence Cardinal Francesco Montenegro, who had been administering the apostolic administration.
Preserving Heritage While Embracing the Future
During the assembly, Bishop Donato shared key passages from his pastoral letter prepared for the occasion: "The Eparchy of Lungro and Today's Christian Salvation: Bringing Christ 'into the veins' of Our People." The document illuminated both challenges and opportunities facing Italo-Albanian communities within the contemporary ecclesial landscape.
The letter stressed the vital importance of preserving Byzantine liturgical and spiritual traditions—a precious heritage these communities have safeguarded for centuries—while remaining responsive to territorial pastoral needs and the demands of modern evangelization. Particular emphasis was placed on forming new generations in the richness of Eastern tradition while simultaneously fostering the ecumenical dialogue and missionary openness that characterize the Byzantine Catholic Church.
Bishop Oliverio expressed his conviction that Italo-Albanian Churches possess a promising future, both spiritually and culturally, highlighting how these communities represent a natural bridge between Christian East and West. In this context, Father De Angelis's nomination was presented as both a sign of vitality and an opportunity to strengthen bonds among the various Italo-Albanian eparchies, creating a network of collaboration and mutual support capable of more effectively addressing future challenges.
Building Bridges Across Communities
The assembly also featured significant participation from a delegation of the parish community of Saint John Chrysostom in Bari, led by vice-parish priest Papàs Antonio Calisi, who was warmly welcomed by parish administrator Papàs Giampiero Vaccaro. For Father Calisi, this presence at the diocesan assembly held particular significance, marking his first attendance at the annual gathering since his priestly ordination.
His participation testifies to the determination of Byzantine communities scattered across the national territory to maintain strong ties with their mother church and actively participate in diocesan life despite geographical distances. The Bari delegation enriched the proceedings significantly, with attorney Paolo Scagliarini delivering a masterful contribution to the debate, bringing insights from a community that lives its Byzantine identity in an urban context perhaps different from that of historical Calabrian communities, yet with equal passion and dedication to preserving Eastern Christian traditions.
A Living Tradition
The assembly in Lungro served as a powerful reminder that the Italo-Albanian Catholic Church remains a vibrant, evolving reality—rooted in ancient traditions yet actively engaged with contemporary challenges. As these communities look toward the future under new leadership, they carry forward a unique witness: proof that authentic tradition and meaningful renewal need not be adversaries, but rather partners in the ongoing mission of bringing Christ to the world.
Carlo Coppola
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