Vatican – "I will do this job Salesian-style": Vatican Gendarmerie's new chaplain, Fr Fontana

29 July 2019

(ANS - Vatican City) - After many years of work for young people within the Salesian Congregation, Fr Francesco (Franco) Fontana goes to serve directly at the center of the universal Church: he was in fact chosen by Pope Francis as chaplain of the Directorate of Security Services and Civil Protection of the State of Vatican City, replacing Msgr. Alberto Lorenzelli, nominated auxiliary bishop of Santiago de Chile. I will do this job Salesian-style, Fr Fontana said to the ANS agency.

Fr Fontana, 69 years of age, 51 of Salesian life and 39 of priesthood, accepted this appointment in a spirit of service to the Church. "I accepted the will of God with hope and affection for the Pope. It will be something totally new for me ... And I must admit that I will miss my 'pests'!," he confided.

In the last 5 years, in fact, Fr Fontana was Director of the "Istituto Sant 'Ambrogio" in Milan, where he accompanied the human and spiritual growth of about 2,000 students. At the same time, he was also Councilor of the Italian Lombardy-Emilian Province (ILE).

Previously, he served in various Salesian houses, always as Director, Catechist or Dean: in Parma, in Bologna-Blessed Virgin of San Luca, in Castel de 'Britti (BO), in a center for the recovery of adolescents and young street kids, and Chiari (BS), site of a school that goes from elementary to secondary school and the Institute of Vocational Training.

Nor should the tasks carried out as a Youth Ministry Delegate for the ILE Province and National Coordinator of Mission Animation, CNOS Delegate for the NGO "VIS - International Volunteering for Development" and its Vice President be forgotten.

In his curriculum of studies there is the baccalaureate in Theology from the Salesian Pontifical University of Turin, and the Degree in Natural Sciences from the University of Parma, which was followed by the qualification for teaching in secondary schools.

In his new assignment within the Vatican, the experiences gained alongside two bishops will be useful: the late card. Giacomo Biffi, who wanted him as a Youth Ministry Delegate in Bologna and with whom he collaborated assiduously as Secretary General of the National Eucharistic Congress held in Bologna in 1997; and Msgr. Ernesto Vecchi, whom he accompanied during the delicate mission as Apostolic Administrator Bishop of Terni-Narni-Amelia, as moderator of the diocesan Curia.

Looking at his new position as chaplain of the Gendarmerie, Fr Fontana stated: "It will be a nice challenge, also because I arrive after the appreciated ministry and work done by Msgr. Lorenzelli. I will commit myself to accompanying the Gendarmes, among whom there are many young people, with a discreet pastoral work, like a good parish priest, so that we can grow together."

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ANS - “Agenzia iNfo Salesiana” is a on-line almost daily publication, the communication agency of the Salesian Congregation enrolled in the Press Register of the Tibunal of Rome as n 153/2007.

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