Oscar Cantoni was born in Lenno, on Lake Como, on 1 September 1950, and moved with his family to nearby Tremezzo at the age of eight. He attended the Collegio Gallio in Como, run by the Somaschi Fathers, and entered the Como Seminary to study theology. Ordained a priest for the Diocese of Como on 28 June 1975, he spent his priesthood largely on vocations and the formation of clergy: he directed the Diocesan Vocations Centre from 1986 to 1999 while teaching religious education in Como's secondary schools, was spiritual director of theologians in the diocesan seminary from 1990 to 2005, preached spiritual exercises for priests, and founded the Ordo Virginum in the diocese. He also wrote articles on vocations and published several books for young people. He was named a Prelate of Honour on 11 July 2000 and served as episcopal vicar for the clergy of Como from 2003 to 2005.
On 25 January 2005 he was elected Bishop of Crema and received episcopal consecration on 5 March 2005. In Crema he founded Uni-Crema, a free university for adults, in 2009, and in September 2010 launched a diocesan youth mission that sent young people to evangelise in places such as nightclubs and theatres. On 4 October 2016 Pope Francis appointed him Bishop of Como, his home diocese, where his ministry has emphasised charity towards the poor and the welcome of migrants. In September 2020 he mourned Fr Roberto Malgesini, a Como priest known for serving the homeless, who was murdered while preparing breakfasts for the poor.
Pope Francis created him cardinal in the consistory of 27 August 2022, assigning him the titular church of Santa Maria Regina Pacis a Monte Verde. He is a member of the Dicastery for Bishops. He participated as a cardinal elector in the 2025 conclave that elected Pope Leo XIV.
Consequential Quotes
As Christians we are invited, all the more, to recognise in the migrant not only a brother or sister in difficulty, but Christ himself who knocks at our door.
Migrating should be a free choice, yet millions of people are forced to leave their land because of persecutions, wars, weather events and poverty. Many migrants flee because of poverty, because of fear, because of desperation.
Taking care of the poor is an ecclesial action through which we touch the flesh of Christ. In them God makes himself present, fragile and concrete.
It is not the poor who need the Church; it is the Church that needs the poor. Poverty becomes prophecy. It frees us from the tyranny of having.
He used to tell me about his activities, recounting the most beautiful things because he carried out his ministry joyfully.
Major Works & Initiatives
Uni-Crema, free university for adults
As Bishop of Crema he established Uni-Crema in 2009, after two years of preparation: a free university for adults promoting cultural and social citizenship rooted in Christian humanism and tradition.
Diocesan youth mission, Crema
In September 2010, as Bishop of Crema, he organised a diocesan youth mission — described as the first of its kind in Italy — sending young people to evangelise not only in churches but in nightclubs, theatres and sporting settings.
Bishop of Como
Appointed by Pope Francis on 4 October 2016 to his home diocese, returning to the see in which he had served as a priest for thirty years; his episcopate there has centred on vocations, charity and the welcome of migrants.
Cardinal-Priest of Santa Maria Regina Pacis a Monte Verde
Created cardinal by Pope Francis on 27 August 2022. He serves as a member of the Dicastery for Bishops, which advises the Pope on episcopal appointments.
Controversies
The Inzoli case
Mauro Inzoli, a priest of the Diocese of Crema, was found guilty by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith in 2012, which recommended his dismissal from the priesthood; in 2014 Pope Francis instead reduced the penalty to a life of prayer, with restrictions. As Bishop of Crema, Cantoni read the diocesan statement announcing the reduction, which said that 'no misery is so profound, no sin so terrible that mercy cannot be applied' (Associated Press, reported February 2017). In November 2016 an Italian court convicted Inzoli of abusing five children aged 12 to 16 and sentenced him to four years and nine months in prison; after a new canonical trial he was dismissed from the priesthood. In September 2022 the Roman newspaper Il Messaggero, citing a leaked CDF document, reported that Cantoni had urged Pope Francis not to dismiss Inzoli and that the Pope had sided with him against the CDF in 2014 (Catholic World News summary, 7 September 2022). The clemency decision was the Pope's; Cantoni's reported advocacy drew criticism from abuse survivors and commentators.
Testimony in the Martinelli trial
As Bishop of Como, Cantoni ordained Gabriele Martinelli a priest in 2017. Martinelli was later accused of sexually abusing a younger student when both were pupils at the Vatican's St Pius X pre-seminary, before his time in Como. Cantoni testified in the Vatican trial concerning his handling of the seminarian, stating that while Martinelli was in Como, first as a deacon and then as a priest, there had been no reports of abuse; according to the College of Cardinals Report, Cantoni also took disciplinary measures against Martinelli in 2017 after a journalistic investigation into the allegations was published. The allegations concerned conduct alleged to have occurred at the pre-seminary, not in Como. The Vatican court acquitted Martinelli in October 2021; on appeal, in January 2024, he was convicted of corrupting a minor and sentenced to two years and six months, with a further appeal possible.
Sources
- Holy See Press Office — biography
- Wikipedia
- Diocese of Como — Homily for the World Day of Migrants and Refugees, Lora, 15 October 2023 (PDF)
- Diocese of Como — 'Nel povero riconosciamo il volto di Cristo vivente', homily for the World Day of the Poor
- CatholicIreland.net — Pope praises murdered priest in general audience, 18 September 2020
- Catholic Culture / Catholic World News — Report: New Italian cardinal was central to Inzoli scandal, 7 September 2022
- Christian Post (Associated Press) — Pope Francis Quietly Cuts Sanctions for Pedophile Priests, 27 February 2017
- College of Cardinals Report — Cardinal Oscar Cantoni
- Angelus News — Martinelli convicted on appeal of corrupting a minor, January 2024