Zurich/Buenos Aires. Norberto Carlos Passuni is the name of the new District Apostle of the New Apostolic Church of South America. The District Apostle district encompasses the District Churches of Argentina, Chile, Paraguay, and Uruguay. Last Wednesday, Chief Apostle Wilhelm Leber ordained the 59-year-old, who has served as an Apostle for nearly 20 years. He will be the successor to District Apostle Norberto Batista, who died suddenly and unexpectedly on 29 September after suffering heart failure (we reported).

Chief Apostle Leber, international Church leader, travelled to Argentina directly following the District Apostle Meeting in New York. Last Wednesday evening in Buenos Aires he conducted a memorial service which was transmitted around the country by satellite. During this divine service he transferred responsibility for the large District Apostle district, which serves over 260,000 members of the New Apostolic Church, to the hitherto Apostle Passuni.

Norberto Passuni lives in Buenos Aires. Prior to that, the hitherto Apostle used to travel frequently for the congregations in Argentina and Chile.

We wish the District Apostle much blessing in his new ministry!

In an interview, Chief Apostle Leber described District Apostle Batista, who had passed away all too early, as a kind-hearted man who was fond of smiling.