Enrico Valtorta

Who was Enrico Valtorta?

Enrico Pascal Valtorta was the last Apostolic Vicar and the first Roman Catholic bishop of Hong Kong. He was born in Italy at Carate Brianza, and was ordained priest on 30 March 1907 for the Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions. He arrived in Hong Kong on 5 October 1907 and from 1909 to 1911 was apostolic missionary for Nam Tau and Sai Kung; Rector of St. Joseph's Church at Garden Road and teacher at seminary in 1913; Chaplain to Victoria Gaol. Appointed 4th Vicar Apostolic of Hong Kong on 8 March 1926, was consecrated Titular Bishop of Lerus on 13 June 1926. Hong Kong Apostolic Vicariate was raised to a Diocese on 11 April 1946. Bishop Valtorta was installed as Bishop of the Hong Kong Diocese on 31 October1948. He died in Hong Kong in 1951. Valtorta College in Tai Po was named after him.