The Salesian Cardinals

Don Bosco’s Sons Who Became Cardinals

Abp. Raffaele Farina

(ANS – Rome – Sept. 25, 2023) – In 2007, in his second consistory for the creation of new cardinals, Pope Benedict XVI once again chose a Salesian to collaborate with him in the ecclesiastical service of the cardinalate. On this occasion, he called Abp. Raffaele Farina, already known for being a distinguished scholar, hard worker, and meek and humble man, who with his discreet and punctual service was able to win the esteem of the three Pontiffs with whom he collaborated. 

Raffaele Farina was born in Buonalbergo, in the Province of Benevento, Italy, on September 24, 1933. He had an inborn vocation; attracted by the figure of Don Bosco, he entered the Salesian novitiate in Portici, near Naples, on August 15, 1947, and made his perpetual vows on September 25, 1954, in Naples. He was ordained in Turin on July 1, 1958.

After graduating in theology from the Salesian Pontifical Athenaeum in Turin in 1958, in 1961 he obtained the qualification to teach history and philosophy at the School of History and Philosophy at the University of Naples. He began teaching ecclesiastical history and patrology in the Salesian theological studentate in Castellammare of Stabia in 1962-1963, while at the same time continuing his studies. He obtained a doctorate in church history at the Gregorian Pontifical University in 1965, with a thesis on Eusebius of Caesarea, which was awarded a gold medal.

In 1965 he began to work as a lecturer in ancient church history and critical methodology in the School of Theology at the Salesian Pontifical University in Rome. But he also continued his studies, and in 1969, thanks to a scholarship, he undertook a 2-year research project on Origen: “The Kingship of Christ in the Commentary on Matthew” at the University of Bonn.

His competence as a scholar and his passion for teaching, typically Salesian, then led him to serve for over 20 years as professor of church history in the School of Theology, from 1976 to 1997 – the year in which he was proclaimed professor emeritus.

Being dean of the School of Theology at the UPS in 1973-1975, he did not neglect more administrative and institutional commitments either. He also served for 11 years, at different times, as rector magnificus (1977-1983 and 1992-1997).

Among his academic and publishing activities, mention must be made of his membership of the Pontifical Committee of Historical Sciences since 1981 (secretary from 1981 to 1989), member of the scientific direction of the Corona Patrum series of the Società Editrice Internazionale in Turin from 1979 to 1997, as well as director of the journal Salesianum during his rectorate years at UPS.

His long curriculum also includes service in the central offices of the Salesian Congregation, where he was director of the Salesian Central Archives from 1984 to 1990.

In 1986 he was appointed undersecretary of the Pontifical Council for Culture, a position he held until 1991. From 1992 to 2006 he was president of the Editorial Commission of the Libreria Editrice Vaticana and, from 1992 to 1997, president of the Animating Committee of the Rectors of the Pontifical Roman Athenaeums. During the same period he also served as the Holy See’s representative to Association of European Universities.

On the feast of Mary Help of Christians, May 24, 1997, Pope John Paul II appointed him prefect of the Vatican Apostolic Library, a task he fulfilled with the dedication typical of Salesians toward the Pope, and which led to the major renovations that changed the face, functions, and style of the historic Apostolic Library and the Secret Archives of the Holy See.

In 2006, under Benedict XVI, he was appointed titular bishop of Oderzo, and on June 25 of the following year he became archivist and librarian of the Holy Roman Church, at the same time being elevated to the dignity of archbishop ad personam, with an announcement made by the Pontiff himself during a visit to the Vatican Apostolic Library and the Vatican Secret Archives.

Benedict XVI then created him a cardinal in the consistory of November 24, 2007.

A member of some of the most prestigious and distinguished cultural academies at an international level, he was honored with various cultural awards from the major European countries. He also performed a delicate service for Pope Francis when, having already become archivist and librarian emeritus of the Holy Roman Church, he was appointed president of the Pontifical Commission on the Institute for Works of Religion.