Former Vice-Chamberlain of Apostolic Chamber and Archbishop of the Titular See of Soteropolis, Msgr. Ettore Cunial retired from his duties shortly before his 99th birthday, on October 23, 2004, even though the customary retirement age for the Roman Curia according to the canon law is 75 and very few are permitted by exception to remain in office past 80 years of age.
Ettore Cunial was born in Possagno, Province of Treviso, Italy, on November 16, 1905. Following elementary studies at the Canova College he entered the Diocesan Seminary of Treviso to study for the priesthood and was ordained a presbyter by the future Blessed Archbishop Andrea Giacinto Longhin OFM. Cap., (1863 – 1936) in the church of St. Nicholas at Treviso on July 7, 1929. Shortly after his ordination, he was named chaplain of the parish of Mogliano Veneto and afterwards of San Dona' di Piave. Msgr. Longhin, following instructions by the future Cardinal, Msgr. Pietro Pavan (1903 – 1994), asked Don Ettore to move to Rome, where he was immediately assigned the Pastoral care of the Agro Romano. It was here that he faced the real problems of society - mainly poverty - an experience which he himself later said changed thoroughly his character when interviewed on the occasion of the fiftieth anniversary from his episcopal ordination. "We used to celebrate Mass in a stable, everyone was in need of money and food", he recalled.
After serving as rector of the Minor Seminary for four years, in 1938, Cardinal Francesco Marchetti Selvaggiani (1871 – 1951), Vicar General of Rome and its districts, nominated Don Ettore as chaplain of Santa Lucia alla Circonvallazione Clodia in the zone of Prati, which had been recently erected. Don Ettore had in care 20.000 residents, to whom he dedicated all his energies, mainly by founding four charitable organizations in order to help his people. To this day, the residents still refer to him with affection as "Don Ettore". On April 11, 1953, Don Ettore was named Vice–Regent, Auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese of Rome by Pope Pius XII (1876 – 1958), and was consecrated as Archbishop with the Titular See of Soteropolis on May 7 of that same year, by Cardinal Clemente Micara (1879 – 1965), Pro–Prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints and by Monsignors Antonio Mantiero (1884 – 1956), Bishop of Treviso and Luigi Traglia (1895 – 1977), future Cardinal Bishop of Ostia and Dean of the College of Cardinals. He served as an Auxiliary to three Cardinals Vicars of Rome: Clemente Micara, Luigi Traglia and Angelo Dell'Acqua (1903 – 1972).
Msgr. Cunial had a lifelong affection to the Boy Scouts of Rome. Since 1954 he served as Ecclesiastical Assistant of the ASCI and from 1961, Ecclesiastical General Assistant of the International Council for Catholic Scouts. Throughout the years he visited and organized several trips and seminars about the theme of scouts throughout all Italy. On December 19, 1972, aged 67, he resigned from his post of Auxiliary Bishop of Rome and was in turn appointed Vice-Chamberlain of the Roman Catholic Church by Pope Paul VI (1897 – 1978), in 1976. He remained in this post until the age of 98, and did not retire until October 23, 2004. In 2005, following the death of Cardinal Corrado Bafile he became the oldest Catholic Bishop in the world. Msgr. Cunial was also a Canon of St. Peter's Basilica and Ecclesiastical Assistant of St. Peter's Circle. Residing for several years at via della Pigna, number 13/a, in Rome, following his retirement, he moved to his native town, Possagno, where everyone was preparing for a great feast in honor of their beloved old prelate.
However, he died unexpectedly on the evening of Thursday, October 6, 2005, only six weeks short of his 100th birthday. His funeral Mass was said on Sunday, October 9, by the Bishop of Treviso, Msgr. Andrea Bruno Mazzocato at 15.30 pm. Present also among the faithful, where "his" boy scouts he loved so much and worked so hard for. He was successively interred inside Possagno's Cemetery.
Ettore Cunial was born in Possagno, Province of Treviso, Italy, on November 16, 1905. Following elementary studies at the Canova College he entered the Diocesan Seminary of Treviso to study for the priesthood and was ordained a presbyter by the future Blessed Archbishop Andrea Giacinto Longhin OFM. Cap., (1863 – 1936) in the church of St. Nicholas at Treviso on July 7, 1929. Shortly after his ordination, he was named chaplain of the parish of Mogliano Veneto and afterwards of San Dona' di Piave. Msgr. Longhin, following instructions by the future Cardinal, Msgr. Pietro Pavan (1903 – 1994), asked Don Ettore to move to Rome, where he was immediately assigned the Pastoral care of the Agro Romano. It was here that he faced the real problems of society - mainly poverty - an experience which he himself later said changed thoroughly his character when interviewed on the occasion of the fiftieth anniversary from his episcopal ordination. "We used to celebrate Mass in a stable, everyone was in need of money and food", he recalled.
After serving as rector of the Minor Seminary for four years, in 1938, Cardinal Francesco Marchetti Selvaggiani (1871 – 1951), Vicar General of Rome and its districts, nominated Don Ettore as chaplain of Santa Lucia alla Circonvallazione Clodia in the zone of Prati, which had been recently erected. Don Ettore had in care 20.000 residents, to whom he dedicated all his energies, mainly by founding four charitable organizations in order to help his people. To this day, the residents still refer to him with affection as "Don Ettore". On April 11, 1953, Don Ettore was named Vice–Regent, Auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese of Rome by Pope Pius XII (1876 – 1958), and was consecrated as Archbishop with the Titular See of Soteropolis on May 7 of that same year, by Cardinal Clemente Micara (1879 – 1965), Pro–Prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints and by Monsignors Antonio Mantiero (1884 – 1956), Bishop of Treviso and Luigi Traglia (1895 – 1977), future Cardinal Bishop of Ostia and Dean of the College of Cardinals. He served as an Auxiliary to three Cardinals Vicars of Rome: Clemente Micara, Luigi Traglia and Angelo Dell'Acqua (1903 – 1972).
Msgr. Cunial had a lifelong affection to the Boy Scouts of Rome. Since 1954 he served as Ecclesiastical Assistant of the ASCI and from 1961, Ecclesiastical General Assistant of the International Council for Catholic Scouts. Throughout the years he visited and organized several trips and seminars about the theme of scouts throughout all Italy. On December 19, 1972, aged 67, he resigned from his post of Auxiliary Bishop of Rome and was in turn appointed Vice-Chamberlain of the Roman Catholic Church by Pope Paul VI (1897 – 1978), in 1976. He remained in this post until the age of 98, and did not retire until October 23, 2004. In 2005, following the death of Cardinal Corrado Bafile he became the oldest Catholic Bishop in the world. Msgr. Cunial was also a Canon of St. Peter's Basilica and Ecclesiastical Assistant of St. Peter's Circle. Residing for several years at via della Pigna, number 13/a, in Rome, following his retirement, he moved to his native town, Possagno, where everyone was preparing for a great feast in honor of their beloved old prelate.
However, he died unexpectedly on the evening of Thursday, October 6, 2005, only six weeks short of his 100th birthday. His funeral Mass was said on Sunday, October 9, by the Bishop of Treviso, Msgr. Andrea Bruno Mazzocato at 15.30 pm. Present also among the faithful, where "his" boy scouts he loved so much and worked so hard for. He was successively interred inside Possagno's Cemetery.
Former Vice-Chamberlain of Apostolic Chamber and Archbishop of the Titular See of Soteropolis, Msgr. Ettore Cunial retired from his duties shortly before his 99th birthday, on October 23, 2004, even though the customary retirement age for the Roman Curia according to the canon law is 75 and very few are permitted by exception to remain in office past 80 years of age.
Ettore Cunial was born in Possagno, Province of Treviso, Italy, on November 16, 1905. Following elementary studies at the Canova College he entered the Diocesan Seminary of Treviso to study for the priesthood and was ordained a presbyter by the future Blessed Archbishop Andrea Giacinto Longhin OFM. Cap., (1863 – 1936) in the church of St. Nicholas at Treviso on July 7, 1929. Shortly after his ordination, he was named chaplain of the parish of Mogliano Veneto and afterwards of San Dona' di Piave. Msgr. Longhin, following instructions by the future Cardinal, Msgr. Pietro Pavan (1903 – 1994), asked Don Ettore to move to Rome, where he was immediately assigned the Pastoral care of the Agro Romano. It was here that he faced the real problems of society - mainly poverty - an experience which he himself later said changed thoroughly his character when interviewed on the occasion of the fiftieth anniversary from his episcopal ordination. "We used to celebrate Mass in a stable, everyone was in need of money and food", he recalled.
After serving as rector of the Minor Seminary for four years, in 1938, Cardinal Francesco Marchetti Selvaggiani (1871 – 1951), Vicar General of Rome and its districts, nominated Don Ettore as chaplain of Santa Lucia alla Circonvallazione Clodia in the zone of Prati, which had been recently erected. Don Ettore had in care 20.000 residents, to whom he dedicated all his energies, mainly by founding four charitable organizations in order to help his people. To this day, the residents still refer to him with affection as "Don Ettore". On April 11, 1953, Don Ettore was named Vice–Regent, Auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese of Rome by Pope Pius XII (1876 – 1958), and was consecrated as Archbishop with the Titular See of Soteropolis on May 7 of that same year, by Cardinal Clemente Micara (1879 – 1965), Pro–Prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints and by Monsignors Antonio Mantiero (1884 – 1956), Bishop of Treviso and Luigi Traglia (1895 – 1977), future Cardinal Bishop of Ostia and Dean of the College of Cardinals. He served as an Auxiliary to three Cardinals Vicars of Rome: Clemente Micara, Luigi Traglia and Angelo Dell'Acqua (1903 – 1972).
Msgr. Cunial had a lifelong affection to the Boy Scouts of Rome. Since 1954 he served as Ecclesiastical Assistant of the ASCI and from 1961, Ecclesiastical General Assistant of the International Council for Catholic Scouts. Throughout the years he visited and organized several trips and seminars about the theme of scouts throughout all Italy. On December 19, 1972, aged 67, he resigned from his post of Auxiliary Bishop of Rome and was in turn appointed Vice-Chamberlain of the Roman Catholic Church by Pope Paul VI (1897 – 1978), in 1976. He remained in this post until the age of 98, and did not retire until October 23, 2004. In 2005, following the death of Cardinal Corrado Bafile he became the oldest Catholic Bishop in the world. Msgr. Cunial was also a Canon of St. Peter's Basilica and Ecclesiastical Assistant of St. Peter's Circle. Residing for several years at via della Pigna, number 13/a, in Rome, following his retirement, he moved to his native town, Possagno, where everyone was preparing for a great feast in honor of their beloved old prelate.
However, he died unexpectedly on the evening of Thursday, October 6, 2005, only six weeks short of his 100th birthday. His funeral Mass was said on Sunday, October 9, by the Bishop of Treviso, Msgr. Andrea Bruno Mazzocato at 15.30 pm. Present also among the faithful, where "his" boy scouts he loved so much and worked so hard for. He was successively interred inside Possagno's Cemetery.
Ettore Cunial was born in Possagno, Province of Treviso, Italy, on November 16, 1905. Following elementary studies at the Canova College he entered the Diocesan Seminary of Treviso to study for the priesthood and was ordained a presbyter by the future Blessed Archbishop Andrea Giacinto Longhin OFM. Cap., (1863 – 1936) in the church of St. Nicholas at Treviso on July 7, 1929. Shortly after his ordination, he was named chaplain of the parish of Mogliano Veneto and afterwards of San Dona' di Piave. Msgr. Longhin, following instructions by the future Cardinal, Msgr. Pietro Pavan (1903 – 1994), asked Don Ettore to move to Rome, where he was immediately assigned the Pastoral care of the Agro Romano. It was here that he faced the real problems of society - mainly poverty - an experience which he himself later said changed thoroughly his character when interviewed on the occasion of the fiftieth anniversary from his episcopal ordination. "We used to celebrate Mass in a stable, everyone was in need of money and food", he recalled.
After serving as rector of the Minor Seminary for four years, in 1938, Cardinal Francesco Marchetti Selvaggiani (1871 – 1951), Vicar General of Rome and its districts, nominated Don Ettore as chaplain of Santa Lucia alla Circonvallazione Clodia in the zone of Prati, which had been recently erected. Don Ettore had in care 20.000 residents, to whom he dedicated all his energies, mainly by founding four charitable organizations in order to help his people. To this day, the residents still refer to him with affection as "Don Ettore". On April 11, 1953, Don Ettore was named Vice–Regent, Auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese of Rome by Pope Pius XII (1876 – 1958), and was consecrated as Archbishop with the Titular See of Soteropolis on May 7 of that same year, by Cardinal Clemente Micara (1879 – 1965), Pro–Prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints and by Monsignors Antonio Mantiero (1884 – 1956), Bishop of Treviso and Luigi Traglia (1895 – 1977), future Cardinal Bishop of Ostia and Dean of the College of Cardinals. He served as an Auxiliary to three Cardinals Vicars of Rome: Clemente Micara, Luigi Traglia and Angelo Dell'Acqua (1903 – 1972).
Msgr. Cunial had a lifelong affection to the Boy Scouts of Rome. Since 1954 he served as Ecclesiastical Assistant of the ASCI and from 1961, Ecclesiastical General Assistant of the International Council for Catholic Scouts. Throughout the years he visited and organized several trips and seminars about the theme of scouts throughout all Italy. On December 19, 1972, aged 67, he resigned from his post of Auxiliary Bishop of Rome and was in turn appointed Vice-Chamberlain of the Roman Catholic Church by Pope Paul VI (1897 – 1978), in 1976. He remained in this post until the age of 98, and did not retire until October 23, 2004. In 2005, following the death of Cardinal Corrado Bafile he became the oldest Catholic Bishop in the world. Msgr. Cunial was also a Canon of St. Peter's Basilica and Ecclesiastical Assistant of St. Peter's Circle. Residing for several years at via della Pigna, number 13/a, in Rome, following his retirement, he moved to his native town, Possagno, where everyone was preparing for a great feast in honor of their beloved old prelate.
However, he died unexpectedly on the evening of Thursday, October 6, 2005, only six weeks short of his 100th birthday. His funeral Mass was said on Sunday, October 9, by the Bishop of Treviso, Msgr. Andrea Bruno Mazzocato at 15.30 pm. Present also among the faithful, where "his" boy scouts he loved so much and worked so hard for. He was successively interred inside Possagno's Cemetery.
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