Antonio Staglianò

Early life

Antionio Staglianò was born in Isola Capo Rizzuto (Archdiocese of Crotone-Santa Severina) in 1959. He attended courses in the minor seminary, in the school to Reggio Calabria. He studied philosophy and theology in the seminaries of Saronno (1977–1979), of Venegono (1979–1982) and the Pontifical Lombard Seminary (1982–1986). He graduated in Fundamental Theology at the Pontifical Gregorian University in 1986. He studied theology in Germany and holds a degree in philosophy from the University of Cosenza which was awarded to him in 1995.

He was ordained priest on 20 October 1984, in the Archdiocese of Crotone-Santa Severina. He served as parochial vicar at St. Dionysius (1986–1990), parochial vicar at St. Rita (1990–1992), and in 1994 became a member of the presbyteral council, canon of the Cathedral, Episcopal Vicar and Director of Culture. In 1999 he became parish priest at Le Castella.

He also taught at the Theological Faculty of Southern Italy in Naples and the Institute of Religious Science of Crotone. He taught theology at the Gregorian University and Urban. He was appointed "adiutor secretarii specialis" in the General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops 2–23 October 2005 by the Pope. He wrote several theological publications.

Bishop of Noto

He was appointed Bishop of Noto by Pope Benedict XVI on 22 January 2009. He was consecrated on 19 March 2009 and installed on 31 March just before his fiftieth birthday.

Consecration of Noto Cathedral's new altar

On 13 February 2011, the bishop consecrated a new altar, lectern and crucifix given to the cathedral of Noto, part of a wider restoration project of the architecture and decorations in the cathedral. The reconstruction of the structural parts of the cathedral was completed in 2007. The new altar, lectern, and crucifix were made of silvered bronze and Sicilian jasper by the Italian sculptor, Giuseppe Ducrot. The frescos in the cupola and pendentives by the Russian painter, Oleg Supereco, were also illustrated, as well as the eight new windows in the cupola by Francesco Mori.

Feast of San Corrado 2011

On 19 February 2011 in Noto Cathedral, Saint Corrado Confalonieri, patron saint of the city and diocese of Noto, was celebrated in front of millions of the faithful in commemoration of his death. His relics are contained in a silver urn supported by four griffins, bearing on its summit a figure of the Risen Christ, which is carried in an ark carried on the shoulders of members of the Ancient Brotherhood, wearing white shirts. Very characteristic is the return of the silver urn to the cathedral, where the bearers climb the steps to the sounds of the church bells and of the faithful chanting "Nuticiani chi semu muti? Viva San Corrado!" ("People of Noto, are we mute? Long live Saint Corrado!"). The bishop celebrated this event alongside Cardinal Angelo Bagnasco.

Una Speranza Per L'Italia

Monsignor Staglianò wrote a book named "Una Speranza Per L'Italia, dal Sud una proposta per educare alla vita buona del Vagnelo" ("A Hope for Italy, a proposal from the South for education towards the good life of the Gospel"). This book, with a foreword by Cardinal Bagnasco, discusses the poverty and faith of Southern Italy, and whether the region's people can find hope. In this book, Staglianò emphasises the "cultural wealth [and] human value of those in the South."

Feast of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary 2011

On 14 August 2011, the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Staglianò celebrated a solemn mass at St. Brigid's Church in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, during his pastoral visit there. He also met with the Cardinal-Archbishop of Toronto, Cardinal Thomas Christopher Collins, to discuss future relations between Noto and Toronto. Following the celebration, the same month, the Bishop visited Canadian companies owned by members of the community of St. Brigid's Church.