A Tuscan always passionate about the missions
Giovanni Bernardo Gremoli
was born in Poppi, in the province of Arezzo, in 1926. He entered the Order
of the Capuchin Friars and was ordained priest in 1951. For many years he
was secretary of the missions of the Tuscan province of the Order. Paul VI
elected him titular bishop of Masuccaba and apostolic vicar of Arabia on 2
October 1975. On 22 February 1976 he was consecrated by Cardinal Agnelo
Rossi, the then prefect of Propaganda Fide. On 21 March 2005 John Paul II
accepted his resignation from the post of Apostolic Vicar. In his place the
Swiss Capuchin friar, 64 year-old Paul Hinder was nominated, who in
December 2003 had been made his auxiliary.