Archbishop Salvatore Pennacchio

Catholics in Brunei said farewell to Apostolic Delegate Archbishop Salvatore Pennacchio on June 15, 2010 (Tuesday).

The archbishop, who is leaving after four years of serving as Apostolic Nuncio and Delegate (or something that you can refer to as "regional director") for many of the Roman Catholic churches and organizations in several South East Asian countries (Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar) since 2003 was recently appointed to take up the post as Apostolic Nuncio to India and Nepal.

The Church of Our Lady of Assumption celebrated a Mass yesterday with Bishop Cornelius Sim and 4 other priests. Quite a number of parishioners joined in the celebration.

The occasion was later marked with a mini gathering at the parish hall attended by the parishioners and the church staff.

Archbishop Salvatore Pennacchio has been appointed Apostolic Nuncio to India and Nepal on May 8, 2010. He succeeds Archbishop Pedro Lopez Quintana.

He was born in Marano (Naples) Italy on 7 September 1952 (maybe some of you knew the local football club - Napoli).

He was ordained a priest on 18 September 1976.

He holds a Doctorate in Philosophy and entered into the Diplomatic Service of the Holy See on 15 April, 1979.

He served in the Apostolic Nunciature in Panama, Ethiopia, Australia, Turkey, Egypt, Yugoslavia and Ireland. On 28 November, 1998, he was appointed Apostolic Nuncio to Rwanda and on 20 September 2003, he was appointed Apostolic Nuncio to Thailand, Singapore and Cambodia, and Apostolic Delegate in Myanmar, Laos, Malaysia and Brunei. Other than Italian, he also speaks English, French and Spanish.

7 Sep 1952 - Born Marano, Italy
18 Sep 1976 - Age 24, Ordained Priest Priest of Aversa, Italy
28 Nov 1998 - Age 46, Appointed Titular Archbishop of Montemarano
28 Nov 1998- Age 46, Appointed Apostolic Nuncio to Rwanda
6 Jan 1999 - Age 46, Ordained Bishop Titular Archbishop of Montemarano
20 Sep 2003 - Age 51, Appointed Apostolic Nuncio to Thailand
20 Sep 2003 - Age 51, Appointed Apostolic Nuncio to Singapore
20 Sep 2003 - Age 51, Appointed Apostolic Nuncio to Cambodia
20 Sep 2003 - Age 51, Appointed Apostolic Delegate to Myanmar
20 Sep 2003 - Age 51, Appointed Apostolic Delegate to Laos
20 Sep 2003 - Age 51, Appointed Apostolic Delegate to Malaysia
20 Sep 2003 - Age 51, Appointed Apostolic Delegate to Brunei Darussalam
8 May 2010 - Age 57, Appointed Apostolic Nuncio to India


In a way I consider my self lucky as this special mass (celebration) happen to be on my birthday yesterday and despite my busy schedule, I managed to spare some time to attend this special mass...


Some photos from inside the church during the mass....




From left to right: Bishop Cornelius Sim (the priest boss for Brunei), Archbishop Salvatore Pennacchio and that guy on the right is from Poland, I think his name is Maretz or something like that (pardon me if its wrong)...







Archbishop Salvatore Pennacchio giving his homily to the parishioners (for those who don't understand, it is basically giving speech to the audience)











Liturgy of the Eucharist or literally known as blessings of the bread and wine...







Shorter version of Novena Prayer to that guy St. Vianney...








Lucky to those who attend this mass (including me), they received a special prayer card - "Prayer to the Pope"...








The choir group... they sang an Italian song at the end of the mass as special gift to Salvatore... pretty cool...




And right after the mass, they have this "fellowship" - some sort of "light eating and drinking session" in the parish hall...

His Holiness Archbishop Salvatore Pennacchio was surrounded by the crowds, many people taking photos... the photo session seems to be never ending... I pity him coz it's quite hard for him to even have a short peaceful time to enjoy his tea and foods... I guess that is one of the thing you have to face when you are a popular person and being loved by others...





It's amazing a priest get such a great reception from the crowds like he is some sort of film superstar or popular singer or something... it's cool to be a priest isn't it? though minus the sex part is kind of hard for me...









Cake time....










Father Paul...





Father Arin...




This fun visiting priest from The Philippines... I can't remember his name, but he is quite fun to be with, quite cool as a priest, he can joke a lot and yet still be serious when it comes to the religious teaching.... apparently I got my special birthday blessings from him....





Huggie hugs.... no pun intended.... I think if I become a priest... I will hug many lovely girls... hahahaha... no wonder I can't become a priest... too much sex in my mind... hahahaha...




It was fun for everybody and quite a hectic day for Archbishop Salvatore Pennacchio....

Shewsbury Land wishes all the best to His Holiness Archbishop Salvatore Pennacchio, he will leave for India sometimes around next month. May God bless him, guide him and give him all the strength and wisdom he needs for his next mission in other country. May he have good health always and enjoy life in priesthood and sharing the love of God to others especially those in most need of God's mercy....



On a separate note, honestly, many years ago I do consider about being a priest coz I think it's kind of cool to be one but I also thought about not being able to watch porn movie and having sex - lot's of sex... to be a Catholic priest - you cannot get married - forever... being a bachelor all the way - and no sex and no porn movie.... it's quite tough and I'm just a weak man...

The cool part is that you have the chance to serve the community, sharing God's love and peace with others, conducting the mass, handling baptism, communion, confirmation, confession, giving blessings all the time and every where people call you "father" and many more... I guess you can still play Sony PS2 or Nintendo DS games surely... but sure it's quite something to be a priest.

I salute all those great men who made it to be a wonderful priest.... God bless them...