H.Em. Card. Camillo Ruini

H.Em. Card. Camillo Ruini, is the Vicar General of His Holiness for the Diocese of Rome and Archpriest of the Lateran Archbasilica, Great Chancellor of the Pontifical University Lateranese, and President emeritus of the“Peregrinatio ad Petri Sedem”. He completed his philosophical and theological studies in Rome at the Pontifical University Gregoriana, as alumnus of the Almo Collegio Capranica, obtaining a License in Philosophy and Theology.

He was ordained a priest in 1954. He taught Philosophy until 1968 and until 1986 taught Dogmatic Theology at the Studio Teologico Interdiocesano di Modena-Reggio Emilia-Carpi-Guastalla, of which he was also President. He taught Dogmatic theology at the Studio Teologico Accademico Bolognese. From 1958 to 1966, he held the position of Diocesan Assistant of Catholic Graduates. From 1966 to 1970, he was Episcopal Delegate for Catholic Action. Since 1968 he has been Episcopal Vicar for the apostolate of the laity, and from 1968 to 1986 he was President of the Diocesan John XXIII Cultural Centre. From 1975 to 1986, he was President of the Diocesan Council for Pastoral Education.

In 1983, he was nominated titular Bishop of Nepte and Auxiliary for the diocese of Reggio Emilia and Guastalla. He received the episcopal ordination from Mgsr. Gilberto Baroni on June 29 that same year. In 1985, he was elected member of the Episcopal Commission for Catholic Education, Culture and School. He was nominated by John Paul II General Secretary of the Italian Episcopal Conference (CEI).

He was a member of the Central Committee for the Marian Year 1987-1988. Since 1988, he has been a Consultor of the Congregation for Bishops. In October 1990, during the work of the eighth General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, he was elected Member of the Council of the General Secretary.

Having accepted the resignation of the Vicar General of Rome and the district, presented by Cardinal Ugo Poletti, Pope John Paul II nominated him Archbishop and Pro-Vicar General of His Holiness for the Diocese of Rome in 1991.
Also in 1991, the Holy Father nominated him President of the Italian Episcopal Conference. In June of the same year, John Paul II appointed him Cardinal and titular of St. Agnes outside the wall.

Subsequently, he was nominated Vicar General of the Holy Father for the Diocese of Rome and Archpriest of the Patriarchal (now Papal) Lateran Archbasilica. He has been Grand Chancellor of the Pontifical University Lateranese, and President emeritus of the“Peregrinatio ad Petri Sedem” since 1996. He was the Moderator of the first special Assembly for Europe of the Synod of Bishops (November 28- December 14, 1991), and he was member of the Committee of the Great Jubilee of the Year 2000.

Pope Benedict XVI confirmed him as President of the Italian Episcopal Conference, donec aliter provideatur. He maintained the role until March7, 2007 when the Pope accepted his resignation for having reached the age of retirement.