Biography Anastasio Ballestrero

1 biography

1.1 life
1.2 education , priesthood
1.3 episcopate , cardinalate
1.4 death

biography
early life

alberto ballestrero born in genoa on 3 october 1913 eldest of 5 children of giacomo ballestrero , antonietta daffunchio. baptized on 2 november 1913 , attended elementary school in genoa 1919 1922.

ballestrero, after enrolling @ collegio belimbau in 1922, confirmed in church of san martino di albaro on 3 may 1923 , received first communion on following 21 june.

education , priesthood

ballestrero later attended collegio belimbau 1922 until following year after desired pursue studies in order become priest.

on 2 october 1924 entered discalced carmelite seminary in varazze. ballestrero joined religious order , took both habit on 12 october 1928 , name of anastasio del santissimo rosario. later transferred genoese convent of s. anna in september 1932 study philosophy , theology.

ballestrero suffered life-threatening infection 2 years before making solemn profession on 5 october 1934. after receiving subdiaconate , diaconate in 1935, ballestrero ordained priesthood in san lorenzo cathedral on 6 june 1936. began teaching philosophy @ studentato of genoa-s. anna in august 1936 , initiated preaching apostolate in genoese hospital in january 1937.

ballestrero prior of s. anna convent 22 april 1945 1948 , again elected prior on 7 may 1954 after becoming provincial of liguria on 3 april 1948. before attending second vatican council 1962 1965, twice elected general provost of discalced carmelites, on 9 april 1955 , later on 21 april 1961, remaining in position until 20 may 1967.

ballestrero visited 350 carmelite convents , 850 carmelite monasteries in world except in hungary, refused him entrance country. once served president of union of superior generals.

episcopate , cardinalate

on 21 december 1973 appointed archbishop of bari pope paul vi. received episcopal consecration on 2 february 1974 in rome cardinal sebastiano baggio, bishops michele mincuzzi , enrico romolo compagnone, ocd, serving co-consecrators.

ballestrero later named archbishop of turin on 1 august 1977. after being elected vice-president of italian episcopal conference on 25 may 1978, president 18 may 1979 3 july 1985.

pope john paul ii elevated him cardinalate , created him cardinal-priest of santa maria sopra minerva in consistory of 30 june 1979. in reference abortion, ballestrero once declared church must never renounce mission of evangelization , education of human conscience . resigned turin s archbishop on 31 january 1989, , subsequently retired monastery of s. croce in la spezia; lost right vote in papal conclave on 3 october 1993.

in capacity cardinal, ballestrero attended various synod of bishops pope had called, , appointed special envoy inaugural ceremonies of theresian year commemorated fourth centennial of death of saint teresa of avila, 14 october until next day in 1981. noted theologian , author of range of books of mediations , on saint john of cross.

he became known progressive beliefs , rejected of popular catholic movements such communion , liberation. john paul ii reproached him said have replied: holiness, when know them better, won t them either!

death

ballestrero died @ residence in la spezia @ age of 84. buried in church crypt of same carmelite monastery in varazze entered in 1924.