College of Cardinals

Biographical notes

[Updated: 04.02.2005]

Notice: the biographical notes are only a working instrument for the press.

© www.catholicpressphoto.com

Cardinal Corrado Bafile, Prefect emeritus of the Congregation for Causes of Saints, was born on 4 July 1903 in L’Aquila (Italy). He began his academic studies in Munich where he studied chemistry. He later turned to the study of law and attained a doctorate from the University of Rome in 1926. He practised law in Rome for 6 years before dedicating to pursue his studies as an extern student at the Pontifical Gregorian University he entered the Major Roman Seminary. He was ordained priest on 11 April 1936.

After his ordination, he entered the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy and attained a doctorate in canon law from the Pontifical Lateran University. He then began a long period of service in the secretariat of state. At the same time he devoted himself to pastoral work as Chaplain to the Abruzzi community living in Rome and as National Chaplain to the Legion of Mary in Italy.

On 13 February 1960 he was appointed titular archbishop of Antiochia in Pisidia and apostolic nuncio in Germany. He was consecrated on 19 march 1960.

In April of the same year he presented his credentials to the President of the Federal Republic. Thus he began his 15 year mission as pontifical representative in Germany. During that period he brought to successful conclusion one concordat and 11 agreements between the Holy See and the various Laender of the republic.

On 18 July 1975 he was appointed Pro-prefect of the Sacred Congregation for the Causes of Saints.

On 25 May 1976 he was nominated Prefect of the Congregation for Causes of Saints.

Prefect emeritus of the Congregation for Causes of Saints, 27 June 1980.

Return to:

- List of Cardinals in alphabetical order
- Statistics

- Index Holy See Press Office
  [English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish]