Carlo Confalonieri
Secretary of the Sacred Consistorial Congregation (1961–1965) | |
|---|---|
| Motto | Regnum tuum Domine (Your kingdom, Lord) |
| Coat of arms |  |
Carlo Confalonieri (25 July 1893 – 1 August 1986) was an Italian
Congregation for Bishops from 1967 to 1973, and dean of the College of Cardinals from 1977 until his death. Confalonieri was elevated to the cardinalate
in 1958.
Biography
Early life
Confalonieri was born in
cabinet-maker.[1] Carlo was baptized by Fr. Ambrogio Sirtori the next day, on 26 July. Confirmed on 13 February 1901, Confalonieri received his first Communion on 5 May 1904. He entered the seminary in Seveso in 1904, and then archdiocesan seminary of Monza in 1909. After studying at a Milanese lyceum, he went to Rome to attend the Pontifical Seminary Ss. Ambrogio e Carlo and the Pontifical Gregorian University (from where he obtained his bachelor's degree in theology in 1913). Confalonieri then served in World War I
from 1914 to 1916.
He entered the ranks of the clergy upon receiving the
Abbot of Nonantola
on 16 December 1939, he declined.
Episcopate
On 27 March 1941, Confalonieri was appointed
Titular Archbishop of Nicopolis ad Nestum
on 22 February of that same year.
| Styles of Carlo Confalonieri | ||
|---|---|---|
Reference style His Eminence | | |
| Spoken style | Your Eminence | |
| Informal style | Cardinal | |
Cardinalate
1963 papal conclave, which selected Pope Paul VI
. He later ascended to Pro-Prefect (1966) and shortly afterwards Prefect (15 August 1967) of the Consistorial, which Pope Paul renamed the Congregation for Bishops on 1 August 1967. He was also President of the Pontifical Commission for the Pastoral of Emigration and Tourism from 30 April 1970 until 25 February 1973, when he resigned all of his posts.
Confalonieri was promoted to
October 1978 for he had exceeded the age limit of 80 to be an eligible elector. However, he was the first to suggest the name of Albino Luciani, who was elected John Paul I, during the period before the August conclave.[2] He complimented Luciani's speech and writing, also saying "the Church has chosen well" in selecting him for the papacy.[3]
Later life and death
He was considered a moderate in his views.[4] At the conclave of 1963, Confalonieri was seen as a possible candidate for a transitional pope, one who is not likely to effect great change during his tenure.[5] Yet his lack of pastoral experience was seen as a hindrance.[4]
He died in Rome, at age 93. His funeral Mass was held in
Saint Peter's Basilica three days later, on 4 August, and was presided by Pope John Paul II. After his remains were moved to his native Seveso for another funeral Mass on 5 August (presided by Giovanni Colombo), Confalonieri was buried next to his parents in their family plot at the Seveso cemetery. At the time of his death he was the oldest member of the College of Cardinals
.
Publication
Confalonieri published a moving tribute to Pope Pius XI with numerous valuable anecdotes.[6]
Mountain climbing
- Like his master Pius XI, Confalonieri greatly enjoyed mountain climbing.[1]
References
- ^ a b Time. The New Cardinals 22 December 1958
- ^ Time. A Swift, Stunning Choice 4 September 1978
- ^ Time. Compassionate Shepherd 4 September 1978
- ^ a b Time. Election Trends 14 June 1963
- ^ Time. Vatican Revolutionary 7 June 1963
- ^ Carlo Confalonieri, Pius XI, vista da vicino, Edizioni S.A.I.E., Torino,1956, Würzburg, 1958
Books
- Lentz, Harris M. (2009). Popes and Cardinals of the 20th Century: A Biographical Dictionary. Jefferson NC USA: McFarland. p. 48. ISBN 978-1-4766-2155-5.
External links
- Catholic-Hierarchy
- Salvadore Miranda: Cardinals of the Holy Roman Church
- Homily for John Paul I's Funeral Mass
Deans of the College of Cardinals | ||
|---|---|---|
|  | |
| ||
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
