Archbishop Claudio Gugerotti, Titular Archbishop of Ravello, began his service as Prefect of the Dicastery for the Oriental Churches yesterday morning, January 16, with a brief ceremony.

Upon his arrival at the Offices, he was welcomed by Archbishop Secretary H.E. Giorgio Demetrio Gallaro and the Under-Secretary, with whom he spoke briefly before going to the Meeting Room where he met the Staff, addressing a few words of greeting and introduction to the work the Dicastery offers the Holy Father for the life of the Eastern Catholic Churches

At noon, in the Hall of Honor, in the presence also of the Procurators of the Patriarchs and Major Archbishops to the Holy See, the Rectors of the Oriental Colleges in Urbe, some General or local Superiors of the Oriental male and female Orders present in Rome, the Rector of the Pontifical Oriental Institute, the Consultors of the Dicastery, the Chant of the Veni Creator Spiritus was intoned, then the Autograph Letter of the Holy Father was read with the appointment as Prefect of His Excellency Msgr. Claudio Gugerotti.

Then the Prefect made the Profession of Faith and took the Oath of Fidelity, then addressed a speech of greeting to those present, expressing to the Holy Father the feelings of gratitude and filial devotion.

In the end, after the blessing followed by the singing of the Marian antiphon Alma Redemptoris Mater, the new Prefect greeted the delegations gathered.