Antonio Francesco Orioli

Who was Antonio Francesco Orioli?

Antonio Francesco Orioli O.F.M.Conv. was a cardinal of the Catholic Church.

Orioli joined the Order of the Friars Minor Conventuals. He professed on 6 May 1793 at the convent of Bologna. He was educated at the Franciscan colleges of Bologna and Parma, and St. Bonaventure College in Rome. In 1804 he received a doctorate in arts and theology.

From 1807 to 1809, Orioli was Lector of theology at St. Bonaventure College in Rome. He moved to France in 1809, returning to Italy in 1812. Here he became a professor at St. Bonaventure College in 1817.

He was also definitor general of his order and consultor of the S.C. of the Index. He was an examiner of the Roman Clergy for the promotion to academic chairs. On 4 September 1832, he became vicar general of his order.

On 15 April 1833, Orioli was elected bishop of Orvieto, being consecrated by Cardinal Giacinto Placido Zurla on 1 May that year. He served at the basilica of Ss. XII Apostoli in Rome. Cardinal Zurla was assisted by Giovanni Soglia, titular archbishop of Efeso, and by Alessandro Bernetti, bishop of Recanati.

He was made cardinal in February 1838 by Pope Gregory XVI. He received the red hat and the title of S.