Ersilio Tonini facts for kids
Quick facts for kids His Eminence Ersilio Tonini |
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| Cardinal Archbishop Emeritus of Ravenna-Cervia |
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| Archdiocese | Ravenna-Cervia |
| See | Ravenna-Cervia |
| Appointed | 22 November 1975 |
| Reign ended | 27 October 1990 |
| Predecessor | Salvatore Baldassarri |
| Successor | Luigi Amaducci |
| Other posts | Cardinal-Priest of Santissimo Redentore a Valmelania (1994-2013) |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | 18 April 1937 |
| Consecration | 2 June 1969 by Umberto Malchiodi |
| Created Cardinal | 26 November 1994 |
| Rank | Cardinal-Priest |
| Personal details | |
| Birth name | Ersilio Tonini |
| Born | 20 July 1914 Centovera di San Giorgio Piacentino, Kingdom of Italy |
| Died | 28 July 2013 (aged 99) Opera Santa Teresa del Bambino Gesù, Ravenna, Italy |
| Nationality | Italian |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
| Previous post | Bishop of Macerata e Tolentino (1969–1975) |
| Motto | In fide vivo Fili Dei |
| Coat of arms |  |
| Styles of Ersilio Tonini |
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| Reference style | His Eminence |
| Spoken style | Your Eminence |
| Informal style | Cardinal |
| See | Ravenna-Cervia (emeritus) |
Ersilio Tonini (born July 20, 1914 – died July 28, 2013) was an important leader in the Catholic Church from Italy. He was a Cardinal, which is a very high rank. From 1975 to 1990, he was the Archbishop of Ravenna-Cervia. In 1994, he became a Cardinal. For a few years, he was the oldest living Cardinal in the world! He passed away when he was 99 years old.
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Early Life and Education
Ersilio Tonini was born in a place called San Giorgio Piacentino, Italy. He went to a seminary in Piacenza to study to become a priest. On April 18, 1937, he officially became a priest.
After becoming a priest, he worked at the Piacenza seminary until 1939. He then continued his studies in Rome at the Pontifical Lateran University. There, he earned special degrees in church law and civil law between 1939 and 1943.
Church Service and Leadership
From 1943 to 1969, Ersilio Tonini worked in different church roles. He helped people in the Diocese of Piacenza. For many years, he was the main priest in the town of Salsomaggiore.
He also helped Catholic university students as an assistant. He was in charge of a weekly newspaper called Il nuovo giornale. In 1959, he was given the special title of Monsignor.
Becoming a Bishop
On April 28, 1969, Pope Paul VI chose Tonini to become the Bishop of Macerata-Tolentino. He officially became a bishop on June 2, 1969. Archbishop Umberto Malchiodi led the ceremony.
Later, on November 22, 1975, Tonini was named the Archbishop of Ravenna and the Bishop of Cervia. These two church areas were joined together in 1986. They became known as the Archdiocese of Ravenna-Cervia.
Becoming a Cardinal
When he turned 75, Ersilio Tonini retired from leading the archdiocese. This was on October 27, 1990, after 14 years of service.
In February 1991, he gave special talks to the Pope and other church leaders. These talks were about "the Church of hope for today."
On November 26, 1994, Pope John Paul II made him a Cardinal. This is one of the highest positions in the Catholic Church. Because he was already over 80 years old, Cardinal Tonini could not vote for a new Pope.
Later Years
Cardinal Tonini became the oldest living Cardinal on April 30, 2010. This happened when Cardinal Paul Augustin Mayer passed away. Ersilio Tonini died on July 28, 2013. He was 99 years old, just a week after his birthday.
