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{{Short description|Italian Archbishop}}
[[File:Michele-pennisi.jpg|thumb]]
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2024}}
⚫
'''Michele Pennisi''' (born 23 November 1946) is an Italian [[Archbishop]] of the [[Roman Catholic Church]]. He has served as [[Archbishop of Monreale]] since 8 February 2013. Following reorganisation of the Sicilian church in 2000, Archbishops of Monreale are no longer [[Metropolitan bishop|Metropolitans]], but they retain the personal rank of Archbishop.
{{Infobox Christian leader
|type = Archbishop
|honorific_prefix = [[The Most Reverend]]
|name = Michele Pennisi
|image = Michele-pennisi.jpg
|title = [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Monreale|Archbishop Emeritus of Monreale]]
|church = [[Catholic Church]]
|archdiocese = Monreale
|see = Monreale
|appointed = 8 February 2013
|term_start = 26 April 2013
|ended = 28 April 2022
|predecessor = Salvatore Di Cristina
|successor = Gualtiero Isacchi
|other_post =
|ordination = 9 September 1972
|ordained_by = Carmelo Canzonieri
|consecration = 3 July 2002
|consecrated_by = [[Salvatore De Giorgi]]
|birth_name = Michele Pennisi
|birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1946|11|23}}
|birth_place = [[Licodia Eubea]], [[Sicily]], [[Italy]]
|alma_mater = [[Almo Collegio Capranica]]
|previous_post = [[Bishop of Piazza Armerina]] (2002-13)
|motto = ''Caritas Christi urget''
|coat_of_arms = Coat of arms of Michele Pennisi.svg }}

⚫
'''Michele Pennisi''' (born 23 November 1946) is an [[Italian people|Italian]] [[Archbishop]] of the [[Catholic Church]] in Sicily, and a noted opponent of the [[Sicilian Mafia]].<ref name=sicilia>{{cite web |url = https://www.lasicilia.it/news/palermo/59776/riina-jr-padrino-ad-un-battesimo-l-ira-del-vescovo-pennisi-intollerabile.html |title = Riina jr padrino ad un battesimo, l'ira del vescovo Pennisi: "Intollerabile" |year= 2017|publisher = La Sicilia |location= |page= |archive-url= |archive-date= |access-date = 3 October 2020 |quote= }}</ref> He served as [[Archbishop of Monreale]] from 8 February 2013 to 28 April 2022. Following the reorganisation of the Sicilian church in 2000, Archbishops of Monreale are no longer [[Metropolitan bishop|Metropolitans]], but they retain the personal rank of Archbishop.


==Birth and education==
==Birth and education==
Pennisi was born in the town of [[Licodia Eubea]], Sicily, on 23 November 1946.<ref name=duomo>{{cite web |url = http://www.monrealeduomo.it/page.php?41 |title = L'Arcivescovo S.Ecc. Mons. Michele Pennisi |last= |first= |author= |date= |year= |editor-last= |editor-first= |publisher = Monreale Cathedral |location= |page= |archive-url= |archive-date= |dead-url=no |access-date = 17 March 2019 |quote= }}</ref>
Pennisi was born in the town of [[Licodia Eubea]], Sicily, on 23 November 1946.<ref name=duomo>{{cite web |url = http://www.monrealeduomo.it/page.php?41 |title = L'Arcivescovo S.Ecc. Mons. Michele Pennisi |publisher = Monreale Cathedral |access-date = 17 March 2019 }}</ref>


From an early age he actively participated in the [[Communion and Liberation]] movement. He was ordained as a priest on 9 September 1972 by Bishop Carmelo Canzonieri.<ref name=hierarchy>{{cite web |url = http://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/bishop/bpennisi.html |title = Archbishop Michele Pennisi |last= |first= |author= |date= |year= |editor-last= |editor-first= |publisher = Catholic Hierarchy |location= |page= |archive-url= |archive-date= |dead-url=no |access-date = 17 March 2019 |quote= }}</ref>
From an early age, he actively participated in the [[Communion and Liberation]] movement. He was ordained as a priest on 9 September 1972 by Bishop Carmelo Canzonieri,<ref name=hierarchy>{{cite web |url = http://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/bishop/bpennisi.html |title = Archbishop Michele Pennisi |publisher = Catholic Hierarchy |access-date = 17 March 2019 }}</ref> after studying at the prestigious [[Almo Collegio Capranica]] in Rome.


==Church career==
==Church career==
After parish work, Pennisi became involved in theological education. From 1985 to 1992 he was rector of the episcopal seminary of [[Caltagirone]] in Sicily, and from 1997 to 2002 he was rector of the Almo Collegio Capranica.
After parish work, Pennisi became involved in theological education. From 1985 to 1992 he was rector of the episcopal seminary of [[Caltagirone]] in Sicily, and from 1997 to 2002 he was rector of the [[Almo Collegio Capranica]] in Rome, where he had himself been a student previously.


[[Pope John Paul II]] appointed him [[Bishop of Piazza Armerina]] on 12 April 2002, and he was consecrated as bishop in [[Piazza Armerina Cathedral]] on 3 July 2002.<ref name= hierarchy/>
[[Pope John Paul II]] appointed him [[Bishop of Piazza Armerina]] on 12 April 2002, and he was consecrated as bishop in [[Piazza Armerina Cathedral]] on 3 July 2002.<ref name= hierarchy/>
Line 15: Line 43:


On 21 September 2017 he was elected vice-president of the Sicilian Episcopal Conference.
On 21 September 2017 he was elected vice-president of the Sicilian Episcopal Conference.

On 28 April 2022 [[Pope Francis]] accepted Pennisi's letter of resignation as archbishop of the Archdiocese of Monreale, appointing Gualtiero Isacchi to replace him on the same day.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Resignations and Appointments |url=https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/bollettino/pubblico/2022/04/28/220428d.html |access-date=2022-04-28 |website=press.vatican.va}}</ref>


==Opposition to the Sicilian Mafia==
==Opposition to the Sicilian Mafia==
Pennisi has lived throughout his life on the island of Sicily, and in his working life has become an outspoken critic and opponent of the [[Sicilian Mafia]]. In the early part of 2008 he received a permanent police escort following death threats received from the mafia. He has worked for legal reforms allowing courts to strip convicted mafiosi of their property, and has banned churches from allowing religious rites for [[confraternity|confraternities]] whose membership includes mafiosi.
Pennisi has lived throughout his life on the island of Sicily, and in his working life has become an outspoken critic and opponent of the [[Sicilian Mafia]]. In the early part of 2008, he received a permanent police escort following death threats received from the mafia. He has worked for legal reforms allowing courts to strip convicted mafiosi of their property and has banned churches from allowing religious rites for [[confraternity|confraternities]] whose membership includes mafiosi.


In 2007 he refused to allow a cathedral funeral service for convicted mafia chief [[Daniele Emmanuello]], who had been killed during a shoot out with police. Ten years later in 2017, despite death threats over the Emmanuello refusal, he again refused to permit any type of public church funeral service for convicted Mafia chief [[Salvatore Riina|Salvatore (Toto) Riina]] who had died in prison, stating "Toto Riina is to be considered a manifest sinner who didn't show the necessary public and true repentance for his crimes."<ref>{{cite web|title=The Beast is buried: Mafia Godfather Toto Riina who ordered the execution of more than 150 people is put to rest with a private family funeral in mob stronghold of Corleone after Church banned a public service|url=https://www.thisismoney.co.uk/news/article-5110551/Mafia-Godfather-Salvatore-Toto-Riinais-buried-Sicily.html|website=This is Money|accessdate=17 March 2019}}</ref>
In 2007 he refused to allow a cathedral funeral service for convicted mafia chief [[Daniele Emmanuello]], who had been killed during a shoot-out with police. Ten years later in 2017, despite death threats over the Emmanuello refusal, he again refused to permit any type of public church funeral service for convicted Mafia chief [[Salvatore Riina|Salvatore (Toto) Riina]] who had died in prison, describing the Mafia leader as "a public sinner" ("un pubblico peccatore").<ref name=lasicilia>{{cite web |url = https://www.lasicilia.it/news/cronaca/121538/la-cei-impensabili-funerali-pubblici-per-toto-riina.html |title = La Cei: Impensabili funerali pubblici per Totò Riina |date= 17 November 2017|publisher = [[La Sicilia]] |location= Catania|page= |archive-url= |archive-date= |access-date = 3 October 2020 |quote= }}</ref>


On 17 March 2017 Pennisi again made news headlines for opposing the Sicilian Mafia, when he issued a blanket ban on known mafiosi becoming [[Godparent|Godfathers]] to children within his [[diocese]], stating that the application of the title to organised criminals could be an attempt to legitimise their crime through association with religion.<ref name=godfather>{{cite web |url = https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/mar/18/mafia-godfather-banned-bishop-sicily-michele-pennisi |title = Sicilian bishop bans mafia godfathers from baptisms |last= |first= |author= |date= 18 March 2017|year= |editor-last= |editor-first= |publisher = The Guardian |location= |page= |archive-url= |archive-date= |dead-url=no |access-date = 17 March 2019 |quote= }}</ref>
On 17 March 2017, Pennisi again made news headlines for opposing the Sicilian Mafia, when he issued a blanket ban on known mafiosi becoming [[Godparent|Godfathers]] to children within his [[diocese]], stating that the application of the title to organised criminals could be an attempt to legitimise their crime through association with religion.<ref name=godfather>{{cite web |url = https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/mar/18/mafia-godfather-banned-bishop-sicily-michele-pennisi |title = Sicilian bishop bans mafia godfathers from baptisms |date= 18 March 2017|work = The Guardian |access-date = 17 March 2019 }}</ref> He had expressed outrage the previous month when Mafia leader Giuseppe Salvatore Riina, the son of Toto Riina, had become a Godfather in a church in Corleone despite a legal injunction preventing his return to the region, after obtaining the necessary permits for exceptional travel from a judge, and of suitable character from a priest in Padua.<ref name=sicilia/>


==Order of St Lazarus of Jerusalem==
==Order of St Lazarus of Jerusalem==
In March 2014 Don [[Carlos Gereda y de Borbón]], Marquês of Almazán and 49th Grand Master of the [[Order of Saint Lazarus (statuted 1910)|Military and Hospitaller Order of St Lazarus of Jerusalem]], with the consent of Patriarch [[Gregory III Laham]], the [[Melkite Catholic Patriarchate of Antioch|Patriarch of Antioch]] and Spiritual Protector of the Order of St Lazarus, appointed Pennisi as the international Ecclesiastical Grand Prior of the Order.
In March 2014 Don [[Carlos Gereda y de Borbón]], Marquês of Almazán and 49th Grand Master of the [[Order of Saint Lazarus (statuted 1910)|Military and Hospitaller Order of St Lazarus of Jerusalem]], with the consent of Patriarch [[Gregory III Laham]], the [[Melkite Catholic Patriarchate of Antioch|Patriarch of Antioch]] and Spiritual Protector of the Order of St Lazarus, appointed Pennisi as the international Ecclesiastical Grand Prior of the Order.<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.st-lazarus.net/en/structure/persons/spiritual-advisory-counsil |title = Members of the Spiritual Advisory Council |last= |first= |author= |date= |year= |editor-last= |editor-first= |publisher = The Military & Hospitaller Order of St Lazarus of Jerusalem |location= |page= |archive-url= |archive-date= |access-date = 19 January 2020 |quote= }}</ref>


==References==
==References==
<references />
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{wikiquote}}
{{commonscat}}


{{Subject bar |portal1= Biography |portal2= Catholicism |portal3= Italy}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Pennisi, Michele}}
[[Category:Archbishops of Monreale]]
[[Category:Archbishops of Monreale]]
[[Category:Order of Saint Lazarus (statuted 1910)]]
[[Category:Order of Saint Lazarus (statuted 1910)]]

Latest revision as of 09:37, 8 December 2024

The Most Reverend

Michele Pennisi
Archbishop Emeritus of Monreale
ChurchCatholic Church
ArchdioceseMonreale
SeeMonreale
Appointed8 February 2013
Installed26 April 2013
Term ended28 April 2022
PredecessorSalvatore Di Cristina
SuccessorGualtiero Isacchi
Previous post(s)Bishop of Piazza Armerina (2002-13)
Orders
Ordination9 September 1972
by Carmelo Canzonieri
Consecration3 July 2002
by Salvatore De Giorgi
Personal details
Born
Michele Pennisi

(1946-11-23) 23 November 1946 (age 78)
Licodia Eubea, Sicily, Italy
Alma materAlmo Collegio Capranica
MottoCaritas Christi urget
Coat of armsMichele Pennisi's coat of arms

Michele Pennisi (born 23 November 1946) is an Italian Archbishop of the Catholic Church in Sicily, and a noted opponent of the Sicilian Mafia.[1] He served as Archbishop of Monreale from 8 February 2013 to 28 April 2022. Following the reorganisation of the Sicilian church in 2000, Archbishops of Monreale are no longer Metropolitans, but they retain the personal rank of Archbishop.

Birth and education

[edit]

Pennisi was born in the town of Licodia Eubea, Sicily, on 23 November 1946.[2]

From an early age, he actively participated in the Communion and Liberation movement. He was ordained as a priest on 9 September 1972 by Bishop Carmelo Canzonieri,[3] after studying at the prestigious Almo Collegio Capranica in Rome.

Church career

[edit]

After parish work, Pennisi became involved in theological education. From 1985 to 1992 he was rector of the episcopal seminary of Caltagirone in Sicily, and from 1997 to 2002 he was rector of the Almo Collegio Capranica in Rome, where he had himself been a student previously.

Pope John Paul II appointed him Bishop of Piazza Armerina on 12 April 2002, and he was consecrated as bishop in Piazza Armerina Cathedral on 3 July 2002.[3]

On 8 February 2013 Pope Benedict XVI appointed him Archbishop of Monreale,[3] and he was enthroned on 26 April 2013.[2]

On 21 September 2017 he was elected vice-president of the Sicilian Episcopal Conference.

On 28 April 2022 Pope Francis accepted Pennisi's letter of resignation as archbishop of the Archdiocese of Monreale, appointing Gualtiero Isacchi to replace him on the same day.[4]

Opposition to the Sicilian Mafia

[edit]

Pennisi has lived throughout his life on the island of Sicily, and in his working life has become an outspoken critic and opponent of the Sicilian Mafia. In the early part of 2008, he received a permanent police escort following death threats received from the mafia. He has worked for legal reforms allowing courts to strip convicted mafiosi of their property and has banned churches from allowing religious rites for confraternities whose membership includes mafiosi.

In 2007 he refused to allow a cathedral funeral service for convicted mafia chief Daniele Emmanuello, who had been killed during a shoot-out with police. Ten years later in 2017, despite death threats over the Emmanuello refusal, he again refused to permit any type of public church funeral service for convicted Mafia chief Salvatore (Toto) Riina who had died in prison, describing the Mafia leader as "a public sinner" ("un pubblico peccatore").[5]

On 17 March 2017, Pennisi again made news headlines for opposing the Sicilian Mafia, when he issued a blanket ban on known mafiosi becoming Godfathers to children within his diocese, stating that the application of the title to organised criminals could be an attempt to legitimise their crime through association with religion.[6] He had expressed outrage the previous month when Mafia leader Giuseppe Salvatore Riina, the son of Toto Riina, had become a Godfather in a church in Corleone despite a legal injunction preventing his return to the region, after obtaining the necessary permits for exceptional travel from a judge, and of suitable character from a priest in Padua.[1]

Order of St Lazarus of Jerusalem

[edit]

In March 2014 Don Carlos Gereda y de Borbón, Marquês of Almazán and 49th Grand Master of the Military and Hospitaller Order of St Lazarus of Jerusalem, with the consent of Patriarch Gregory III Laham, the Patriarch of Antioch and Spiritual Protector of the Order of St Lazarus, appointed Pennisi as the international Ecclesiastical Grand Prior of the Order.[7]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "Riina jr padrino ad un battesimo, l'ira del vescovo Pennisi: "Intollerabile"". La Sicilia. 2017. Retrieved 3 October 2020.
  2. ^ a b "L'Arcivescovo S.Ecc. Mons. Michele Pennisi". Monreale Cathedral. Retrieved 17 March 2019.
  3. ^ a b c "Archbishop Michele Pennisi". Catholic Hierarchy. Retrieved 17 March 2019.
  4. ^ "Resignations and Appointments". press.vatican.va. Retrieved 28 April 2022.
  5. ^ "La Cei: Impensabili funerali pubblici per Totò Riina". Catania: La Sicilia. 17 November 2017. Retrieved 3 October 2020.
  6. ^ "Sicilian bishop bans mafia godfathers from baptisms". The Guardian. 18 March 2017. Retrieved 17 March 2019.
  7. ^ "Members of the Spiritual Advisory Council". The Military & Hospitaller Order of St Lazarus of Jerusalem. Retrieved 19 January 2020.
[edit]
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