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Zef Simoni

1928 – 2009

About

Monsignor Zef Simoni was born on December 1, 1928, in Shkodër, and was ordained to the priesthood at 32 years of age by Msgr. Ernest Çoba on February 9, 1961. Following his release from prison, Simoni was assigned as parish priest of St. Stephen's Cathedral of Shkodër, succeeding future Cardinal Mikel Koliqi in 1992. On December 25, of that same year, Pope John Paul II appointed him as auxiliary bishop of Shkodrë, whilst Msgr. Franco Illia was named as Bishop of the named See. Simoni received his episcopal consecration with the Titular See of Bararus at 64 years of age, on April 25, 1994, from the named Pope, assisted by Cardinals Camillo Ruini and Jozef Tomko. Retiring from office on January 20, 2004, the Bishop died on Saturday, February 21, 2009 aged 80.