Diocese of Trapani announces historic new religious ministries

Bishop Pietro Maria Fragnelli of the Diocese of Trapani has announced several historic changes and new appointments during the celebration of the feast of the Madonna of Trapani.

In a first for the diocese, the ministry of the catechist will be officially established. Following the guidelines of Pope Francis’s motu proprio ‘Antiquum Ministerium’, four individuals—Giovanni Quartana, Francesca Messina, Roberto Marcantonio, and Caterina Vesco—will be instituted as catechists on September 20. These lay members will hold a stable mandate to accompany the faith journeys of children and adults and coordinate evangelization efforts.

Additionally, the Bishop issued a decree extending the title of ‘Civitas Mariae’ to several municipalities: Alcamo, Calatafimi Segesta, Castellammare del Golfo, Erice, and Trapani. This title recognizes cities with images of the Madonna of Trapani that have been crowned by the Vatican. The Bishop also noted the widespread devotion to the Madonna of Trapani across the Mediterranean, including locations such as Tunis and Casablanca.