Ernesto Cardinal Ruffini
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His Eminence Ernesto Cardinal Ruffini (January 19, 1888—June 11, 1967) was an Italian prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as Archbishop of Palermo from 1945 until his death, and was elevated to the cardinalate in 1946.
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[edit] Early Life
Ruffini was born in San Benedetto Po in the Province of Mantua, and studied at the diocesan seminary of Mantua, the Pontifical Theological Faculty of Northern Italy (obtaining his licentiate in theology), Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas (licentiate in philosophy), and in the Pontifical Biblical Institute (diploma to teach Biblical Science). He was ordained to the priesthood on July 10, 1910.
From 1913 to 1930 he taught in various Roman seminaries and universities like the Pontifical Urbaniana University. He was appointed Secretary of the Congregation of Seminaries and Universities on October 28, 1928, and became Rector of Pontifical Lateran University in 1931.
[edit] Archibishop of Palermo
On October 11, 1945, Ruffini was named Archbishop of Palermo by Pope Pius XII. He received his episcopal consecration on the following December 8 from Giuseppe Cardinal Pizzardo, with Archbishop Francesco Duca and Bishop Domenico Menna serving as co-consecrators. Ruffini was created Cardinal Priest of S. Sabina by Pius XII in the consistory of February 18, 1946, and later participated in the 1958 papal conclave, which selected Pope John XXIII.
During his tenure as Archbishop, he strongly opposed Communism and Danilo Dolci. He also refused to admit that the Mafia was the main problem of Sicily.
He attended the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965), sitting on its Board of Presidency and supporting the veneration of the Virgin Mary. He was forced to intervene in a heated discussion between Alfredo Cardinal Ottaviani and Augustin Cardinal Bea in the course of the last preparatory session of the Council,
He was one of the cardinal electors who participated in the 1963 papal conclave, which selected Pope Paul VI.
[edit] Death
He died in Palermo, and is buried in the shrine of Madonna dei Rimedi.
[edit] References
Cosa Nostra,Storia della mafia siciliana;Mondolibri Spa,Italia,year 2005
