Priest in Moscow praises new archbishop, but editor sees concerns

Published: 2007-09-28

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." However, Olga Karpova, editor of the church's Sviet Yevangelia Catholic weekly, said many Catholics had written the newspaper questioning Pope Benedict XVI's appointment of the Italian to replace Archbishop Tadeusz Kondrusiewicz, a Russian citizen who will return to his native Belarus as archbishop of Minsk-Mohilev. The two spoke to Catholic News Service by telephone Sept. 27 and 28.

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