Biography of Bishop Dodë Gjergji, Bishop of the Diocese of Prizren-Pristina

DODË GJERGJI is currently the Bishop of Kosovo, with the official ecclesiastical title of Bishop of the Diocese of Prizren-Pristina. He was born on January 16, 1963, in the village of Stubëll (Viti). He began primary school in his hometown and completed it in Ferizaj, attended the classical gymnasium "Paulinum" in Subotica, and completed his philosophical-theological studies in Zagreb, Croatia. In 1989, he received priestly ordination. After his ordination, he served in Ferizaj as co-editor of the Drita publishing house. In 1991, he returned to Zagreb as a missionary for Albanians in Croatia, where he also began his postgraduate studies. In 1994, he went as a volunteer priest to Albania, where for 6 years he led the parish of Saint Euphemia in Kallmet (Lezha). In 1997, he was appointed Vicar Bishop of Lezha. In 1999, Pope John Paul II appointed him Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Sapa. In early 2006, he was consecrated Bishop of the Diocese of Sapa. In 2007, Pope Benedict XVI appointed him Administrator of the Apostolic Administration of Prizren, Kosovo. Since 2017, he has been Bishop of the Diocese of Prizren-Pristina, which covers the entire territory of Kosovo. He was part of the editorial board of the magazine "Drita," responsible for the publication of liturgical books in the Albanian language, from the early years of his priesthood. As a professor, he has lectured at the National Catechetical Institute in Shkodra. In addition to pastoral messages, conferences, and interviews in various languages, he has written "We Serve with Humility and Proclaim with Joy," Pastoral Guide 2015-2020 – Drita 2014, and "The Account of a Pilgrim." A Week in Calcutta, Drita 2018, a description of the pilgrimage to Mother Teresa's Calcutta. He wrote the book "Dritoni," in which he recounted the life and work of Bishop Lucian Avgustini. Most recently, he wrote the trilogy "The Return" in 3 volumes. During his time in Albania from 1994 until 2007, in addition to his direct ecclesiastical duties and services, he was the spiritual father of Kolping Albania, President of Caritas Albania, secretary of the Episcopal Conference, and held several other positions.