Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vatican City (Fides Service) - Exuberant, intelligent and jovial man of profound spirituality and charity hidden but just as deep: these few traits suffice to outline the personality of Mgr Tiziano Scalzotto who died on March 20 ten years ago. Called to Rome from Vescovana, province of Padua, where he was born in 1915, to serve at what was then the Congregation Propaganda Fide in October 1952, on 1953 he was put in charge of mission matters in east and central west Africa.
During his service at the Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples he journeyed to mission territories in Africa and the Middle East accompanying the CEP prefect Cardinal Gregorio P. Agagianian, the Secretary Archbishop Sergio Pignedoli and Pope Paul VI when he travelled to Uganda in 1969. On 24 January 1976 he was appointed CEP Under Secretary. On reaching the age of retirement in 1986 he was appointed Consultor of the Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples and Canon of St Peter’s Basilica.
He was appreciated by Pope John Paul who enjoyed his company. Mgr. Tiziano Scalzotto was vivacious and very learned. He was a man of humility and simplicity and was passionate when discussing a subject. He was a good preacher, writer and lecturer. He used to say that the greatest gift he received from God were his parents who were poor, but rich in wisdom, profound Christian faith and humility, a quality he inherited from his family. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 23/3/2007; righe 19, parole 238)
