Msgr. Settimio Arturo Ferrazzetta ofm, passed away in the early hours of the morning of 27 January 1999, in the city of Bissau. The Bishop had cardiac problems and had lately been in Italy for an operation after breaking his leg. After convalescing in Italy, his land of birth, he had just been back in his diocese for two days when he died. The Vicar of the diocese, Fr João Dias Vicente, ofm, communicated the news to our office via telephone. According to him, the death of Msgr Settimio Ferrazzetta took everyone by surprise and created a certain void that is being felt by all. He loved his land of adoption and struggled to obtain respect for the fundamental rights of his people: human dignity, justice, healthcare and education. From the early days of his missionary activity he distinguished himself in caring for outcasts. He was one of the founders of the Mission of Cumura where the Franciscans assist the lepers to this very day. According to the Vicar of the Diocese, Bishop Ferrazzetta was a true Franciscan, who enjoyed dialogue with everyone: from the man in the street to the man of power. His enormous efforts for peace distinguished him as a person who sought to bring about a spirit of dialogue in Guinea-Bissau. He was born in Selva di Progno, Verona, on the 8th of December 1924. He started his novitiate on 23 July 1944. He made his Solemn Profession on 29 June 1948. After his philosophical and theological studies he was ordained a priest on 1 July 1951. He was part of the first group of Franciscans from the Venetian Province to be sent to Guinea-Bissau in 1955. He was consecrated Bishop of the only Diocese of Guinea-Bissau on 29 June 1977.

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