The Resignation of Italian Archbishop a Riddle

A delicate mission: For the Archbishop who resigned on Friday, there wasn't even a farewell Mass.

(kreuz.net)  The naming of the Archbishop emeritus of Milan, Dionigi Cardinal Tettamanzi (78) as Diocesan Administrator of Vigevano is a riddle.

Bischof Vincenzo Di Mauro (61)
© Diocesano, Wikipedia, CC

This was reported by the Milan newspaper 'Corriere della Sera' this Wednesday.

Last Friday, Bishop Vincenzo Di Mauro (61) resigned out the clear blue sky.

Officially, he resigned for health reasons,  Indeed, this version of events convinced no one at 'Corriere'.

He suffers from Diabetes

"Msgr. Di Mauro's problems with diabetes have never disappeared"  -- said the newspaper, citing Fr. Emilio Pastormerlo, the speaker of the Curia of Vigevano.

But:  "Actually, we were the first to be surprised by the unexpected resignation."

He recalled then that his predecessor, Bishop Claudio Baggini, himself could only be moved with a bottle of oxygen.

Too Big For the Post

Msgr Di Mauro was named Coadjutor Bishop of Vigevano in December of 2010.

He brought the best qualifications for this Old Liberal surrounding.  He had been a colleague of Cardinal Carlo Maria Martini, had an education in Business Administration and was the Prefect for the Economic Affairs of the Holy See.

According to reports by 'Corriere' he was over qualified for the little Diocese of Vigevano.

Difficult Financial Problems

Actually, in the Diocese of Vigevano there were enormous problems shortly after his arrival.

In March of 2011 Msgr Mauro took over the direction of the Diocese.

No one was ordered out, but shortly thereon Fr. Elio Caspani -- the Diocese economist was dismissed.

A few days later he was found dead in his own house.  He was had clearly fallen down the stairs.

Like a Tsunami

His governing style hit the quiet Diocese of Vigevano like a Tsunami.

The new Bishop encouraged the priests, replaced the people in the Diocesan Curia and other boards.

He revived the Collegio Negroni and transformed it into the largest and most active youth gathering in the city.

A Fan of Milan

Msgr Di Mauro opened a personal 'Facebook' profile.

One of the things he began was the so-called 'Happy Hour', where the youth gathered in the Diocesan Curia.

During his sermons he liked to use football vocabulary.  He was a fan of Milan.

Unusually Quiet

Actually, after his surprising resignation on Friday, there is an unusual silence about him.

He wrote a short letter, in which he validated that the reason for his resignation was for poor health.

He did not even celebrate a farewell Mass.

On Thursday he still took part in a public debate about the Mafia, which had been organized by the Communist Workers Trade Union.

The appointment of Cardinal Tettamanzi was Diocesan administrator was observed by 'Corriere' thusly:  "His mission is clearly delicate."

Link to kreuz.net...