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| Msgr. Jose Bettencourt, |
OTTAWA, Ontario -
Pope Benedict XVI has appointed Msgr. Jose Bettencourt, a native of Portugal
who grew up in Ottawa, as the Holy See's head of protocol.
Msgr. Bettencourt
is only the second non-Italian to hold the position. The post had been held by
Msgr. Fortunatus Nwachukwu, a Nigerian diplomat, who was named Nov. 12 as
apostolic nuncio to Nicaragua.
In his position
Msgr. Bettencourt is in charge of the protocol involving the Holy See's
relationships with other states, from welcoming visiting heads of state at the
airport to dealings with diplomats and ambassadors accredited to the Vatican. His
role includes overseeing how heads of state and others participate in
ceremonies such as canonizations and consistories and ensuring that visitors to
the Vatican are welcomed and relaxed.
Before his
appointment, Msgr. Bettencourt worked closely in organizing papal audiences,
briefing the pope and visiting bishops, heads of state and lay people for the
visits. He has served in the Vatican's Secretariat of State since 2002.
Born in 1962 in
Velas, Azores, Portugal, Msgr. Bettencourt grew up in Ottawa, where he attended
both elementary and secondary school. He graduated from the University of
Ottawa before pursuing theological studies at Dominican College and St. Paul
University, where he studied for the priesthood. He was ordained in 1993.
< By Deborah Gyapong, Canadian
Catholic News
