Giuseppe Versaldi
Encyclopedia
Archbishop Giuseppe Versaldi (30 July 1943-) is the president of the Prefecture for the Economic Affairs of the Holy See
, since his appointement by Pope Benedict XVI
on 21 September 2011. He had previously served as bishop of Alessandria
.
Versaldi was born in Villarboit in 1943 and was ordained a priest on 29 June 1967. In 1972 he was sent to Rome to study psychology
and then canon law
at the Pontifical Gregorian University
, where he earned a degree in psychology and a doctorate
in canon law
. Versaldi returned to Vercelli in 1976, was instructed to start the diocesan Family Counseling centre in the same diocese. At the same time he attended courses at the Roman Rota. He received his law degree in 1980.
In 1977 he was entrusted with the care of the parish of Larizza in the diocese. In 1980 he was called to teach canon law and psychology at the Pontifical Gregorian University. In 1985 he was appointed by the Holy See and in 1990 voter referendum at the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura.
On 25 March 1994 he was appointed as Vicar General
of Vercelli, by the then Archbishop
Tarcisio Bertone, who since 2006 has served as Secretary of State to His Holiness
.
Pope Benedict XVI named him bishop of Alessandria on 4 April 2007. He was ordained a bishop on 26 May 2007, by Enrico Masseroni, Archbishop of Vercelli as principal consecrator, and bishops Fernando Charrier
and Natalino Pescarolo as co-consecrators. He was installed on 10 June.
After four years as bishop of Alessandria, Versaldi was named president of the Prefecture for the Economic Affairs of the Holy See
and at the same time archbishop ad personam on 21 September 2011, succeeding Cardinal Velasio de Paolis
.
Prefecture for the Economic Affairs of the Holy See
The Prefecture for the Economic Affairs of the Holy See is an office of the Roman Curia, erected on 15 August 1967, and entrusted with overseeing all the offices of the Holy See that manage finances, regardless of their degree of autonomy....
, since his appointement 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 21 September 2011. He had previously served as bishop of Alessandria
Roman Catholic Diocese of Alessandria della Paglia
The diocese of Alessandria della Paglia is a Roman Catholic ecclesiastical territory in Piedmont, northern Italy. It is a suffragan of the diocese of Vercelli.-History:Alessandria della Paglia was made a see in 1175 by Pope Alexander III...
.
Versaldi was born in Villarboit in 1943 and was ordained a priest on 29 June 1967. In 1972 he was sent to Rome to study psychology
Psychology
Psychology is the study of the mind and behavior. Its immediate goal is to understand individuals and groups by both establishing general principles and researching specific cases. For many, the ultimate goal of psychology is to benefit society...
and then 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...
at the Pontifical Gregorian University
Pontifical Gregorian University
The Pontifical Gregorian University is a pontifical university located in Rome, Italy.Heir of the Roman College founded by Saint Ignatius of Loyola over 460 years ago, the Gregorian University was the first university founded by the Jesuits...
, where he earned a degree in psychology and a doctorate
Doctorate
A doctorate is an academic degree or professional degree that in most countries refers to a class of degrees which qualify the holder to teach in a specific field, A doctorate is an academic degree or professional degree that in most countries refers to a class of degrees which qualify the holder...
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...
. Versaldi returned to Vercelli in 1976, was instructed to start the diocesan Family Counseling centre in the same diocese. At the same time he attended courses at the Roman Rota. He received his law degree in 1980.
In 1977 he was entrusted with the care of the parish of Larizza in the diocese. In 1980 he was called to teach canon law and psychology at the Pontifical Gregorian University. In 1985 he was appointed by the Holy See and in 1990 voter referendum at the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura.
On 25 March 1994 he was appointed as Vicar General
Vicar general
A vicar general is the principal deputy of the bishop of a diocese for the exercise of administrative authority. As vicar of the bishop, the vicar general exercises the bishop's ordinary executive power over the entire diocese and, thus, is the highest official in a diocese or other particular...
of Vercelli, by the then Archbishop
Archbishop
An archbishop is a bishop of higher rank, but not of higher sacramental order above that of the three orders of deacon, priest , and bishop...
Tarcisio Bertone, who since 2006 has served as Secretary of State to His Holiness
Cardinal Secretary of State
The Cardinal Secretary of State—officially Secretary of State of His Holiness The Pope—presides over the Holy See, usually known as the "Vatican", Secretariat of State, which is the oldest and most important dicastery of the Roman Curia...
.
Pope Benedict XVI named him bishop of Alessandria on 4 April 2007. He was ordained a bishop on 26 May 2007, by Enrico Masseroni, Archbishop of Vercelli as principal consecrator, and bishops Fernando Charrier
Fernando Charrier
Fernando Charrier was the Roman Catholic bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Alessandria della Paglia, Italy.Ordained to the priesthood in 1956, Charrier became a bishop in 1984 and retired in 2007....
and Natalino Pescarolo as co-consecrators. He was installed on 10 June.
After four years as bishop of Alessandria, Versaldi was named president of the Prefecture for the Economic Affairs of the Holy See
Prefecture for the Economic Affairs of the Holy See
The Prefecture for the Economic Affairs of the Holy See is an office of the Roman Curia, erected on 15 August 1967, and entrusted with overseeing all the offices of the Holy See that manage finances, regardless of their degree of autonomy....
and at the same time archbishop ad personam on 21 September 2011, succeeding Cardinal Velasio de Paolis
Velasio de Paolis
Velasio de Paolis, CS JCD STL is an Italian cardinal of the Catholic Church. He was president emeritus of the Prefecture for the Economic Affairs of the Holy See and is Pontifical Delegate for the Congregation of the Legionaries of Christ.-Early life:De Paolis was born in Sonnino, and became a...
.