Monsignor Roberto Fornaciari ordained bishop in Olbia: it is the first time in Italy for a monk

Thousands of people are attending the ordination as bishop of Monsignor Roberto Fornaciari in Olbia , the Camaldolese monk (and theologian) designated by Pope Francis to lead the diocese of Tempio Ampurias.

The ceremony, which began a few minutes late due to the heavy rain that hit the city around 5pm, takes place in the square of the church of San Michele Arcangelo. Monsignor Fornaciari is receiving the ordination from Monsignor Bernard Nicolas Aubertin, Archbishop Emeritus of Tours, assisted by the Archbishop of Sassari Monsignor Gianfranco Saba and his predecessor Sebastiano Sanguinetti, apostolic administrator of Tempio Ampurias.

The official start of the pastoral ministry tomorrow with the entrance, at 6pm, into the Tempio cathedral. It is the first time in Italy, and there are very few cases in the world, that Pope Francis has appointed a monk as bishop .