Background
D'Astiria was born in Tarazona in the province of Zaragoza, Spain in 1604.
D'Astiria was born in Tarazona in the province of Zaragoza, Spain in 1604.
On June 16, 1670 Pope Clement X appointed D'Astiria to succeed Lucas Buenos as and ordain bishop on 6 July 1670 by Cardinal Carlo Carafa della Spina. During his episcopacy he visited and consecrated numerous churches among these are mentioned the visit to the church of Our Lady of Mercy in Xewkija, Gozo. It is reported that on this visit Bishop D'Astiria gave permission for the reopening of the church which had been closed.
This took place because a certain Petronilla Pontremoli promised to celebrate the feast of Our Lady and to distribute bread to all the poor. It is recorded that on 30 September 1671 Bishop Lorenzo D'Astiria made a pastoral visit to Mqabba. The latter church was blessed on July 1, 1672.
Also it is recorded that during this visit he also ordered that the main altar be transferred to the parish church as well. During his episcopacy a great number of people died as a consequence of the plague between 1675 and 1676. Around 11,000 people died.
Lorenzo D'Astiria died on January 5, 1678 at the age of 74.