Draft:Gioacchino Collica
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Comment: Per my message on your talk page, autobiographies are strongly discouraged. Phuzion (talk) 13:43, 22 October 2025 (UTC)
Archbishop Gioacchino Collica | |
|---|---|
| Title | Archbishop of the European Catholic Apostolic Church |
| Personal life | |
| Born | Gioacchino Collica 6 March 1972 Italy |
| Nationality | Italian |
| Known for | Religious leadership, humanitarian work, defense of religious freedom |
| Religious life | |
| Church | Chiesa Cattolica Apostolica Europea |
Gioacchino Collica (born 6 March 1972, Italy), also known as Archbishop Gino Collica, is an Italian-born archbishop and religious leader. He serves as the Archbishop of the Chiesa Cattolica Apostolica Europea (European Catholic Apostolic Church), a Christian community inspired by apostolic charity and the spiritual traditions of both the Eastern and Western Churches. Collica is known for his humanitarian, social, and interreligious work, as well as for his defense of religious freedom and human dignity.
Early life and vocation
[edit]Gioacchino Collica was born in Italy in 1972. From an early age he showed interest in religious life and community service. He later pursued priestly formation and episcopal ministry within the independent Catholic movement, following apostolic succession derived from historic Catholic-Apostolic lineages.
Episcopal ministry
[edit]Collica was consecrated bishop within the line of apostolic succession of the Catholic Apostolic Church of Brazil, one of the most ancient independent Catholic Churches in Latin America. His ordination is part of the same ecclesiastical heritage that connects the Catholic Apostolic Church of Brazil with the European Catholic Apostolic Church.
In 2023, it was publicly noted that Archbishop Collica and Archbishop Manoel Rova, Primate of the Catholic Apostolic Church of Brazil, reaffirmed their fraternal relationship after previous internal disagreements between the two Churches. The event was seen as a gesture of reconciliation and unity, emphasizing their shared apostolic origin and commitment to mutual respect and cooperation between the Brazilian and European branches of the Catholic Apostolic tradition.[1][2]
As Archbishop of the Chiesa Cattolica Apostolica Europea, Collica promotes compassion, service to the poor, and unity among Christians. Under his leadership, the Church expanded its pastoral and social work, focusing on interfaith dialogue, assistance to families, and humanitarian aid projects across Europe.
He is recognized for promoting cooperation among different religious communities and for his involvement in social programs supporting people in need.
Humanitarian and peace activities
[edit]Archbishop Collica has been active in several international peace and humanitarian initiatives. He received the Premio Excelencia Humana 2023 for his commitment to human dignity and social service.[3]
He has collaborated with the Universal Peace Federation (UPF) and participated in events recognized by the United Nations for the promotion of peace and interreligious understanding.[4][5]
In 2022, Collica was referred to as an Ambassador of Peace at the United Nations and presented a sacred icon to Cameroonian media figure Amougou Belinga, symbolizing peace and unity among peoples.[6]
He has also supported peace and human rights initiatives in Italy, including collaborations with ambassadors and organizations promoting international cooperation.[7][8][9]
Missionary and international outreach
[edit]Collica’s ministry has also extended to South America, particularly Peru, where he has been involved in pastoral visits, charitable missions, and interreligious dialogue projects. In February 2025, he visited the city of Rímac, Peru, where he met with the mayor and local authorities during a pastoral mission aimed at promoting peace, cooperation, and social development.[10]
In Peru, his Church has promoted educational and social initiatives for underprivileged families and children, in cooperation with local Christian communities and humanitarian organizations. These missions aim to strengthen solidarity and faith among the poor and to foster bridges of peace between Europe and Latin America.
Environmental and social engagement
[edit]Beyond his ecclesiastical duties, Archbishop Collica has promoted ecological awareness and sustainable living. He has participated in several local initiatives in North Rhine-Westphalia (Germany) concerning beekeeping and environmental protection, collaborating with Düsseldorf’s beekeepers’ association and local ecological movements.[11][12][13]
Legal recognition and religious freedom
[edit]In 2024 and 2025, Archbishop Collica was involved in legal proceedings in Germany concerning the public recognition of his Church and his title as Archbishop.
- Landgericht Aachen (Regional Court of Aachen) – Case No. 12 O 345/24
- Oberlandesgericht Köln (Higher Regional Court of Cologne) – Case No. 15 U 21/25
Both courts confirmed that recognition by the Roman Catholic Church is an internal matter of canon law and does not affect the legal status or religious freedom of the Chiesa Cattolica Apostolica Europea. All official Church documents, including ordination records and apostolic succession certificates, were accepted as authentic.
International appeal to Wikimedia Foundation
[edit]In October 2025, Archbishop Collica submitted a formal appeal to the Wikimedia Foundation via Meta-Wiki, requesting an international review of the deletion of his biographical page from the German Wikipedia. The appeal, supported by legal documents and international references, seeks a neutral reassessment based on verified judicial and public evidence.[14]
Public reception and media
[edit]Collica’s pastoral and social work have been covered by various media in Europe, South America, and Africa. While some local press sources have published critical or controversial statements, court documents and his official ministry confirm his legitimate ecclesiastical standing. He is appreciated among his followers as a symbol of charity, dialogue, and peace.
See also
[edit]- Chiesa Cattolica Apostolica Europea
- Universal Peace Federation
- Freedom of religion in Germany
- Independent Catholic Churches
- Catholic missions in South America
- Brazilian Catholic Apostolic Church
References
[edit]- ^ Los Cristianismos – "Arzobispo Gino Collica: Premio Excelencia Humana 2023"
- ^ UPF Europe and Middle East – Official Page
- ^ Los Cristianismos – "Arzobispo Gino Collica: Premio Excelencia Humana 2023"
- ^ Global Peace Library – "UPC peace initiatives supported by Italian personalities with recognition by the UN"
- ^ UPF Europe and Middle East – Official Website
- ^ Actu Cameroun – "Mgr. Gioacchino Collica, Ambassadeur de la Paix à l’ONU"
- ^ San Marino RTV – "Devis Paganelli nominato Ambasciatore per la Pace e i Diritti Civili"
- ^ Rimini Today – "Ambasciatore per la Pace e i Diritti Civili"
- ^ VIP Settimanale – "Ambasciatore per la Pace"
- ^ Facebook – Post by Archbishop Gino Collica, 11 February 2025: Visit to Rímac, Peru
- ^ Lokalkompass Düsseldorf – "Honigbiene und Honigernte"
- ^ Klaudija.de – "Bienensterben: Das betrifft uns alle"
- ^ Imkerverein Düsseldorf – "NRW-Tag 2016"
- ^ Meta-Wikimedia – "Official Appeal of Archbishop Gioacchino Collica" (2025)