Beniamino Stella
Stored: Beniamino Stella
| His Eminence Beniamino Stella | |
| Bishop of College of Cardinals | |
| Home diocese: | Diocese of Vicenza |
| Other diocese 1: | Titular See of Midila |
| Other diocese 2: | Porto-Santa Rufina |
| Other diocese 3: | |
| Ordination: | 19 March 1966 by Bishop Carlo Zinato |
| Consecration: | 5 September 1987 by Cardinal Agostino Casaroli |
| Rank: | Cardinal |
| Created cardinal: | 22 February 2014 by Pope Francis |
| Personal details | |
| Born: | Beniamino Stella 18 August 1941 Pieve di Soligo, Italy |
| Died: | |
| Nationality: | Italy |
| Education: | Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy |
| Motto: | "Per Christum in Spiritu" |
| Role: | Emeritus |
| Theology: | Moderate |
| Region: | Western Europe |
| Rite: | Roman Rite |
| Conclave Eligibility: | Ineligible |
Cardinal Beniamino Stella, born August 18, 1941, is an Italian prelate of the Roman Catholic Church, celebrated for his diplomatic service and leadership as Prefect of the Congregation for the Clergy from 2013 to 2021. Ordained a priest in 1966 for the Diocese of Vicenza and consecrated a bishop in 1987, he was elevated to cardinal in 2014 by Pope Francis. Stella’s career includes roles as Apostolic Nuncio to Cuba, Colombia, and Chad, and President of the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy, training Vatican diplomats. His moderate theology, reflected in his motto "Per Christum in Spiritu" ("Through Christ in the Spirit"), emphasizes priestly formation and pastoral renewal, aligning with Francis’ vision of a merciful Church. Retired since 2021, Stella’s age (83 in 2025) renders him ineligible to vote in the 2025 papal conclave following Pope Francis’ death on April 21, 2025.
Stella’s tenure as Prefect focused on reforming seminary training and addressing clergy abuse, though his diplomatic decisions, such as engaging Cuba’s Castro regime, sparked debate. His academic background in canon law and extensive nunciature experience shaped his pragmatic approach to Church governance. While never a prominent papal contender, Stella’s contributions to clergy formation and Vatican diplomacy have left a lasting impact, particularly in Latin America. As an emeritus cardinal, he retains symbolic influence in the post-Francis Church, though his role is limited by retirement and age.
Biography
Birth and early life
Beniamino Stella was born on August 18, 1941, in Pieve di Soligo, a town in Veneto, Italy, to a devout Catholic family. Raised in a rural community, he was the eldest of six children, with his parents’ faith and emphasis on education shaping his early years. His exposure to post-Vatican II liturgical reforms and local parish life sparked a priestly vocation, leading him to enter the Vicenza seminary at age 11.
Italy’s economic and social changes in the 1950s, coupled with the Church’s role in community cohesion, influenced Stella’s commitment to pastoral service. His linguistic aptitude—later mastering Spanish, French, and Portuguese—and leadership in youth groups distinguished him early on. These qualities foreshadowed his diplomatic career, blending local roots with global engagement. [1]
Education
Stella studied philosophy and theology at the Vicenza seminary, earning a licentiate in theology. He pursued advanced studies in Rome, obtaining a doctorate in canon law from the Pontifical Lateran University, with a focus on ecclesiastical diplomacy. His training at the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy (1966–1970) prepared him for Vatican diplomatic service, emphasizing international law and Church-state relations.
His academic formation included pastoral theology, equipping him to address clergy formation challenges later in his career. Stella’s multilingual proficiency and canon law expertise laid the foundation for his roles as nuncio and curial leader, enabling him to navigate diverse cultural and political contexts effectively. [2]
Priesthood
Ordained a priest on March 19, 1966, by Bishop Carlo Zinato for the Diocese of Vicenza, Stella served briefly in parish ministry, focusing on catechesis and community outreach. In 1970, he joined the Vatican’s diplomatic corps, serving in the Dominican Republic, Zaire, and Malta, addressing issues like religious freedom and Church-state relations. His diplomatic finesse earned him roles as nuncio later in his career.
As President of the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy (1999–2007), Stella trained future Vatican diplomats, shaping the Church’s global diplomatic corps. His priesthood combined pastoral sensitivity with administrative skill, positioning him as a trusted figure under Popes John Paul II, Benedict XVI, and Francis. His diplomatic experience in Latin America and Africa informed his later curial focus on clergy formation. [1]
Bishop
Consecrated titular Archbishop of Midila on September 5, 1987, by Cardinal Agostino Casaroli, Stella served as Apostolic Nuncio to Chad (1987–1992), the Central African Republic (1987–1992), Cuba (1992–1999), and Colombia (1999–2007). Appointed Prefect of the Congregation for the Clergy in 2013 and elevated to cardinal in 2014, he reformed seminary curricula and addressed clergy abuse protocols. He was named Cardinal-Bishop of Porto-Santa Rufina in 2020.
Stella’s leadership emphasized pastoral accountability and priestly formation, though his engagement with Cuba’s government drew criticism for perceived leniency. His moderate approach balanced Francis’ reforms with traditional governance, earning praise for pragmatism but scrutiny for cautious abuse reforms. Retired since 2021, Stella’s influence persists through his diplomatic legacy, but he is ineligible for the 2025 conclave. [3]
| Diocese | Role | Start Date | End Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Titular See of Midila | Titular Archbishop | 5 September 1987 | 22 February 2014 | Apostolic Nuncio to Chad, Central African Republic, Cuba, Colombia |
| Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy | President | 21 October 1999 | 13 October 2007 | Trained Vatican diplomats |
| Congregation for the Clergy | Prefect | 21 September 2013 | 11 June 2021 | Reformed seminary training, addressed abuse protocols |
| Porto-Santa Rufina | Cardinal-Bishop | 25 May 2020 | Present | Elevated to cardinal-bishop |
Significant events
- Entered the Vicenza seminary in 1952.
- Ordained priest for the Diocese of Vicenza in 1966.
- Consecrated titular Archbishop of Midila in 1987.
- Appointed Apostolic Nuncio to Cuba in 1992.
- Elevated to cardinal by Pope Francis in 2014.
- Retired as Prefect of the Congregation for the Clergy in 2021.
Books
Written about the bishop
- No known books specifically about Cardinal Stella.
Written by the bishop
- Pastoral Formation for Priests by Beniamino Stella, ISBN 978-0814665121
External links
- Beniamino Cardinal Stella at Catholic-Hierarchy.org
- Biography of Cardinal Beniamino Stella at Vatican Press Office
- Vatican News article on Stella’s retirement
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Beniamino Cardinal Stella". Catholic-Hierarchy.org. 2025-04-24. https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/bishop/bstella.html.
- ↑ "Biography of Cardinal Beniamino Stella". Vatican Press Office. 2025-04-24. https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/documentation/cardinals_biographies/cardinal_stella.html.
- ↑ "Cardinal Stella retires as Prefect of Clergy". Vatican News. 2021-08-11. https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2021-08/cardinal-stella-retires-clergy-congregation.html.