Oscar Cantoni
Stored: Oscar Cantoni
| His Eminence Oscar Cantoni | |
| Bishop of Diocese of Como | |
| Home diocese: | Diocese of Como |
| Other diocese 1: | Diocese of Crema |
| Other diocese 2: | |
| Other diocese 3: | |
| Ordination: | 28 June 1975 by Bishop Teresio Ferraroni |
| Consecration: | 5 March 2005 by Bishop Alessandro Maggiolini |
| Rank: | Cardinal |
| Created cardinal: | 27 August 2022 by Pope Francis |
| Personal details | |
| Born: | Oscar Cantoni 1 September 1950 Lenno, Como, Italy |
| Died: | |
| Nationality: | Italy |
| Education: | Como Seminary |
| Motto: | "In Simplicitate Cordis" (In Simplicity of Heart) |
| Role: | Diocesan |
| Theology: | Moderate |
| Region: | Europe |
| Rite: | Roman Rite |
| Conclave Eligibility: | Eligible |
Oscar Cantoni, born on 1 September 1950, is an Italian prelate of the Catholic Church, serving as the Bishop of Como since 2016 and elevated to cardinal by Pope Francis in 2022.[1] Born in Lenno, Italy, he was ordained a priest in 1975 for the Diocese of Como, served as Bishop of Crema from 2005 to 2016, and returned to lead his home diocese.[2] Known for his moderate theology, Cantoni emphasizes Catholic education, charitable outreach, and social justice, particularly for migrants and the poor, while promoting vocations and pastoral care.[3] His initiatives include founding Uni-Crema, a cultural university for adults, and Italy’s first diocesan youth mission in 2010.[3]
Cantoni’s ministry has faced scrutiny, notably for his handling of abuse allegations involving a seminarian, Gabriele Martinelli, whom he ordained in 2017, and for a 2008 investigation into alleged favoritism, which was archived.[3][4] As a member of the Dicastery for Bishops since 2022, he influences episcopal appointments globally.[2] Eligible for the 2025 papal conclave, Cantoni is recognized for his pastoral focus, though his role has not drawn significant papabile speculation.[5][1] Following Pope Francis’ death in April 2025, Cantoni continues to lead Como, addressing declining clergy numbers and fostering evangelization.[3][6]
Biography
Birth and early life
Oscar Cantoni was born on 1 September 1950 in Masnate, a hamlet of Lenno, Como, Italy, in the Diocese of Como.[1] At age eight, he moved with his family to nearby Tremezzo.[2] He attended Classical High School at the Pontificio Collegio Gallio, run by the Somaschi Fathers, fostering his vocational calling.[3]
Growing up in Como’s Catholic community, Cantoni’s early exposure to the Somaschi Fathers and the region’s social challenges shaped his focus on education and charity.[3] His move to Tremezzo deepened his connection to the diocese he now leads.[4]
Education
Cantoni studied theology at the Como Seminary, entering in 1970 after completing classical studies at the Pontificio Collegio Gallio.[2] He was ordained a priest on 28 June 1975 by Bishop Teresio Ferraroni.[1] His academic roles included teaching religion at secondary schools in Como and contributing articles on vocational topics to spirituality magazines.[3]
His theological formation emphasized pastoral care and vocations, equipping him for leadership in promoting consecrated life and youth engagement.[4] Cantoni’s education reflects a practical, community-oriented approach.[3]
Priesthood
Ordained for the Diocese of Como in 1975, Cantoni served as parish priest at Santa Maria Regina in Muggiò (1975–1982), chaplain to the Sisters at Collegio Santa Chiara in Muggiò, and religion teacher at the Pliny Como technical institute.[3] He founded and led the Diocesan Vocations Centre (1975–1999), was spiritual director of the diocesan theological seminary (1986–2005), and episcopal vicar for clergy (2003–2005).[2]
In 1991, he became episcopal delegate for the Ordo Virginum, revitalizing the association of consecrated virgins in Como.[4] On 11 July 2000, Pope John Paul II named him an Honorary Prelate of His Holiness.[1] His priesthood focused on vocations and pastoral innovation.[3]
Bishop
Appointed Bishop of Crema on 25 January 2005 by Pope John Paul II, Cantoni was consecrated on 5 March 2005 by Bishop Alessandro Maggiolini, with Archbishop Paolo Romeo and Bishop Teresio Ferraroni as co-consecrators.[1] He served until 2016, launching Uni-Crema in 2009 and Italy’s first diocesan youth mission in 2010.[3] Named Bishop of Como on 4 October 2016 by Pope Francis, he was installed on 27 November 2016.[2]
Elevated to cardinal-priest of Santa Maria Regina Pacis a Monte Verde on 27 August 2022, Cantoni took possession on 8 December 2022.[2] Appointed to the Dicastery for Bishops in July 2022, he shapes episcopal appointments.[2] His ministry faced challenges, including a 2008 investigation for alleged favoritism (archived) and a 2017 Vatican trial over his ordination of Gabriele Martinelli, accused of abuse.[4][3]
| Diocese | Role | Start Date | End Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diocese of Crema | Diocesan Bishop | 25 January 2005 | 4 October 2016 | Founded Uni-Crema, launched youth mission |
| Diocese of Como | Diocesan Bishop | 4 October 2016 | Present | First cardinal of Como |
Significant events
- Ordained priest for the Diocese of Como in 1975 by Bishop Teresio Ferraroni.[1]
- Founded Diocesan Vocations Centre in 1975, led until 1999.[3]
- Named spiritual director of Como’s theological seminary in 1986.[4]
- Appointed episcopal delegate for Ordo Virginum in 1991.[4]
- Named Honorary Prelate of His Holiness in 2000 by Pope John Paul II.[1]
- Appointed episcopal vicar for clergy in 2003.[2]
- Appointed Bishop of Crema in 2005 by Pope John Paul II.[1]
- Launched Uni-Crema in 2009 and Italy’s first diocesan youth mission in 2010.[3]
- Appointed Bishop of Como in 2016 by Pope Francis.[2]
- Ordained Gabriele Martinelli as priest in 2017, later disciplined after abuse allegations.[3]
- Appointed to Dicastery for Bishops in July 2022.[2]
- Elevated to cardinal by Pope Francis in 2022, first for Como.[2]
- Confirmed as eligible for the 2025 papal conclave.[1]
Books
Written about the bishop
- "Cardinal Oscar Cantoni". 23 November 2024. https://collegeofcardinalsreport.com/cardinals/oscar-cantoni.
- "Il vescovo Oscar Cantoni nominato cardinale". https://www.intornotirano.it/notizie/il-vescovo-oscar-cantoni-nominato-cardinale.
Written by the bishop
- Cantoni, Giuseppe; Corti (1974). Ragazzi nuovi per un mondo nuovo. Proposta di catechesi per l'anno di iniziazione alla cresima. Brescia: Queriniana.
- Cantoni, Oscar (1981). La tua vita. Sussidio vocazionale per ragazzi. Bologna: Dehoniane.
- Cantoni, Oscar (1985). Grida la tua speranza. Lettere ai giovani. Milano: Àncora. ISBN 88-7610-117-9.
- Cantoni, Oscar (1990). E brillerà la tua luce. Strumento di lavoro per i giovani che chiedono la direzione spirituale. Milano: Àncora. ISBN 88-7610-351-1.
- Cantoni, Oscar (1996). La direzione spirituale in vista dell'orientamento vocazionale. Como: Diocesi di Como.
- Cantoni, Dino; Bottino (1996). Direzione spirituale e accompagnamento vocazionale. Teologia e scienze umane a servizio della vocazione. Milano: Àncora.
External links
- Oscar Cardinal Cantoni at Catholic-Hierarchy.org
- Cardinal Oscar Cantoni at Vatican Press
- Vescovo Oscar Cantoni at Diocese of Como
- Cardinal Oscar Cantoni at College of Cardinals Report
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 1.9 Cheney, David M.. "Oscar Cardinal Cantoni". https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/bishop/bcantoni.html.
- ↑ 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 2.11 "Cardinal Oscar Cantoni". 27 August 2022. https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/documentation/cardinals_biographies/cardinal_cantoni.html.
- ↑ 3.00 3.01 3.02 3.03 3.04 3.05 3.06 3.07 3.08 3.09 3.10 3.11 3.12 3.13 3.14 "Cardinal Oscar Cantoni". 23 November 2024. https://collegeofcardinalsreport.com/cardinals/oscar-cantoni.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 "Oscar Cantoni". 3 September 2022. https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oscar_Cantoni.
- ↑ Piqué, Elisabetta (25 April 2025). "Quiénes son los cardenales que participarán del cónclave". https://www.lanacion.com.ar/el-mundo/quienes-son-los-cardenales-que-participaran-del-conclave-nid25042025/.
- ↑ Rothenburg, Mariana; Niederauer (21 April 2025). "Cardeal Paulo Cezar Costa fala sobre legado de Francisco e o novo papado". https://www.correiobraziliense.com.br/podcast/2025/04/cardeal-paulo-cezar-costa-fala-sobre-legado-de-francisco-e-o-novo-papado.html.