Bishop Mariano Crociata

Mariano Crociata was born in Castelvetrano, in the Diocese of Mazara del Vallo, on March 16, 1953. He studied at the Seminary of Mazara del Vallo and obtained his classical high school diploma with top marks. He was a student at the Almo Collegio Capranica and studied Philosophy and Theology at the Pontifical Gregorian University, earning a Doctorate in Theology with highest honors and publishing his thesis, *Humanism and Theology in Agostino Steuco*, with the publisher Città Nuova in 1987. He authored a textbook on fundamental theology titled *The Church*, published by Piemme in 1991. His numerous articles in the journal of the Theological Faculty of Palermo focus primarily on the relationship between Christianity and other religions. He was ordained on June 29, 1979. Following his priestly ordination, he held the following offices and ministries: Director of the Diocesan Catechetical Office (1983–1986); Parish Priest in Marinella di Selinunte (1985–1989); and Archpriest-Pastor of the Mother Church of Marsala (1989–2007). He also served as: Diocesan Assistant for Catholic Action; member of the Central Commission for the Diocesan Synod; Secretary of the Diocesan Synod; Vicar Forane; member of the Executive Committee of the Diocesan Presbyteral Council; member of the College of Consultors; Professor of Fundamental Theology and Director of the Department of Theology of Religions at the Theological Faculty of Sicily in Palermo; and lecturer in Fundamental Theology and Christology at the Institute of Religious Sciences in Mazara del Vallo. On July 16, 2007, he was appointed Bishop of Noto and received episcopal ordination on October 6 of that same year. On September 25, 2008, he was appointed Secretary General of the Italian Episcopal Conference. Currently, he also serves as President of the "Saints Francis of Assisi and Catherine of Siena" Religious Foundation and as a member of the Presidency of the Committee for the 5th National Ecclesial Convention.