Questions surface about non-Russian archbishop appointed to Moscow see

By Jonathan Luxmoore
10/1/2007
Catholic News Service (http://www.catholicnews.com/)

The Roman Catholic Church has just appointed a new archbishop. An Italian who speaks Russian well.

The relationship between both churches has been cold for a long time now.

OXFORD, England (CNS) – A Catholic leader in Russia said the Italian missionary named archbishop of Moscow will "be well able to lead the local church and find ways through difficult situations."

Archbishop-designate Paolo Pezzi, 47, "is highly educated, with great pastoral experience," said Father Igor Kovalevsky, secretary-general of the Russian bishops' conference. "He speaks Russian well and has a deep interest in Russian culture, as well as a strong and visible record of achievement as seminary rector in St. Petersburg."

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