Giuseppe Lazzarotto

infobox bishopstyles
name=Giuseppe Lazzarotto
dipstyle=The Most Reverend
offstyle=Your Excellency
relstyle=Monsignor
deathstyle=not applicable |

Giuseppe Lazzarotto JCD was born in Carpane, Italy on May 24, 1942. He studied for the priesthood in the Diocese of Padua, being ordained a priest on 1 April 1967. He undertook post-graduate studies in diplomacy at the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy in Rome, while at the same time completing his studies by obtaining a Doctorate in Canon Law. He entered the Diplomatic Service of the Holy See in 1971.

Archbishop Lazzarotto has served as part of the delegations in Zambia and Malawi, Belgium, Cuba, and Jerusalem, and in the Section for Relations with States of the Secretariat of State of the Holy See between 1984 and 1994. He was appointed Apostolic Nuncio in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and in the Republic of Iraq on 23 July 1994. On this same date he was appointed Titular Archbishop of Numana being ordained and was ordained archbishop on 7 October 1994. His Principal Consecrator was Cardinal Angelo Sodano; his Principal Co-Consecrators were Archbishop Miroslav Stefan Marusyn and Bishop Antonio Mattiazzo [ [http://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/bishop/blaz.html History of Bishop Lazzarotto] ] .

He was appointed Apostolic Nuncio to Ireland on 11 November 2000 replacing Luciano Storero. He presented his credentials to President Mary McAleese on 18 January 2001.

It came to light that the Nuncio sent a questionnaire to priests in the vacant see of Down and Connor asking their opinions as to who should become the next bishop. This was seen in the "Irish Times" (12 April 2007). Archbishop Lazzarotto asked a number of priests who should be the next bishop under the headings of: initiative, sobriety, and fatherly spirit. The archbishop also questioned priests about the successor's health and practical skills as well as temperament and discipline to the Holy See. Lazzarotto when contacted about his views on the leaked document said "all aspects relating to the process of episcopal appointments should be dealt with in the strictest confidentiality. I trust that you will understand that I cannot depart from this practice".

On 22 December 2007 he was appointed by Pope Benedict XVI as Apostolic Nuncio to Australia.

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