Pope Appoints Maltese to Third Highest Post at Vatican

By Karl Stagno-Navarra
Malta Today
February 22, 2013

http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/en/newsdetails/news/national/Pope-appoints-Maltese-to-third-highest-post-at-Vatican-20130222

Mgr Antoine Camilleri

Pope Benedict XVI has appointed Mgr. Antoine Camilleri as under-secretary for the Holy See’s relations with States.

47 year-old Mgr Antonie Camilleri has been appointed by Pope Benedict XVI to the third highest ranking post in the Vatican, making him under-secretary to the Holy-See's relations with States.

A law graduate in 1988, Mgr. Camilleri was ordained into priesthood in 1991 and has been part of the Vatican's diplomatic service since 1999.

He replaces Mgr. Ettore Balestrero, who has been controversially appointed as Nuncio to Colombia, following reports about his close relations with Secretary of State Tarcisio Bertone, and his liaisons with the beleaguered Vatican bank IOR.

His replacement and appointment as Nuncio to Colombia is being considered as a kick-upstairs in a bid to keep him far from Rome.