Former Bishop of the Diocese of Avellino, Monsignor Antonio Forte OFM., was born in Polla, Italy, on July 9, 1928 from a family of modest means. Joining the Order of Franciscan Friars Minor, he began his novitiate at the convent of Tramonti on September 29, 1943, taking his simple vows on October 1, 1944 and making his solemn profession on December 8, 1949.
After successfully finishing his studies in philosophy and theology, Forte was ordained to the priesthood at 22 years of age on February 25, 1951. Successively, he was sent by his superiors to Grottaferrata in order to pursue further studies, obtaining a degree in pedagogy in 1953.
In August of that same year he returned to his Province, where he served the offices of vice-rector of the Fratini of Bracigliano, master of clerics at Nocera and Serino, and spiritual director of the latter clerics.
When a serious lack of vocations hit his Province, the latter opened an inter-seminary for Southern Italy and Friar Antonio was named master of clerics at the Friary of Santa Chiara of Naples. Successively, he held various posts within his Province, mainly as definitor between 1962 and 1968, vicar provincial between 1968 and 1974, minister provincial between 1974 and 1980 and again vicar provincial between 1980 and 1986.
Noticing his noble qualities and authentic Franciscan spirit, the Minister General of his Order, named him twice as visitor general, in 1973, for the Province of Saint Michael Archangel of Puglia, and again in 1982, for the Province of the Sacred Heart of Naples.
Along the years, Forte was named vice-president of the Italian Conference for Major Superiors, member of the Commission for Religious Bishops of the Italian Episcopal Conference, and vice-assistant of the Missionarie dell'Opera della Regalità, a secular institute founded by Friar Agostino Gemelli OFM.
Whilst serving as Friar Guardian of the Formation House for Temporary Professed Brothers at the convent of Santa Maria della Foce of Sarno, at 59 years of age, he received the unexpected news of his appointment as Bishop of the Diocese of Ariano Irpino-Lacedonia by Pope John Paul II, following the retirement of Bishop Nicola Agnozzi OFM. Conv.
Forte received his episcopal consecration on September 10, 1988, from Cardinal Bernardin Gantin, assisted by Bishop Gioacchino Illiano and the named Monsignor Agnozzi, at Nocera Superiore, taking possession of his See on the following September 25.
Following the appointment of Monsignor Gerardo Pierro as Archbishop of Salerno-Campagna-Acerno, Forte was named his successor as Bishop of the Diocese of Avellino on September 20, 1993, an office which he held until his retirement at 76 years of age on November 13, 2004, being succeeded by Bishop Francesco Marino.
Retiring back to his former Province on January 15, 2005, he was assigned to the Friary of Bracigliano, but was transferred to the Provincial Infirmary of Santa Maria degli Angeli in Nocera Superiore after undergoing a chirurgical intervention at the Cardarelli of Naples. He died after a long illness at the named infirmary on September 11, 2006, aged 78. His funeral Mass was celebrated at the church of Santa Maria degli Angeli of the Franciscan Fathers at Nocera Superiore.
Originally buried at the Cimitero Comunale di Nocera Inferiore, on September 9, 2020, he was re-interred in the crypt of Avellino's Cathedral alongside his predecessors.
After successfully finishing his studies in philosophy and theology, Forte was ordained to the priesthood at 22 years of age on February 25, 1951. Successively, he was sent by his superiors to Grottaferrata in order to pursue further studies, obtaining a degree in pedagogy in 1953.
In August of that same year he returned to his Province, where he served the offices of vice-rector of the Fratini of Bracigliano, master of clerics at Nocera and Serino, and spiritual director of the latter clerics.
When a serious lack of vocations hit his Province, the latter opened an inter-seminary for Southern Italy and Friar Antonio was named master of clerics at the Friary of Santa Chiara of Naples. Successively, he held various posts within his Province, mainly as definitor between 1962 and 1968, vicar provincial between 1968 and 1974, minister provincial between 1974 and 1980 and again vicar provincial between 1980 and 1986.
Noticing his noble qualities and authentic Franciscan spirit, the Minister General of his Order, named him twice as visitor general, in 1973, for the Province of Saint Michael Archangel of Puglia, and again in 1982, for the Province of the Sacred Heart of Naples.
Along the years, Forte was named vice-president of the Italian Conference for Major Superiors, member of the Commission for Religious Bishops of the Italian Episcopal Conference, and vice-assistant of the Missionarie dell'Opera della Regalità, a secular institute founded by Friar Agostino Gemelli OFM.
Whilst serving as Friar Guardian of the Formation House for Temporary Professed Brothers at the convent of Santa Maria della Foce of Sarno, at 59 years of age, he received the unexpected news of his appointment as Bishop of the Diocese of Ariano Irpino-Lacedonia by Pope John Paul II, following the retirement of Bishop Nicola Agnozzi OFM. Conv.
Forte received his episcopal consecration on September 10, 1988, from Cardinal Bernardin Gantin, assisted by Bishop Gioacchino Illiano and the named Monsignor Agnozzi, at Nocera Superiore, taking possession of his See on the following September 25.
Following the appointment of Monsignor Gerardo Pierro as Archbishop of Salerno-Campagna-Acerno, Forte was named his successor as Bishop of the Diocese of Avellino on September 20, 1993, an office which he held until his retirement at 76 years of age on November 13, 2004, being succeeded by Bishop Francesco Marino.
Retiring back to his former Province on January 15, 2005, he was assigned to the Friary of Bracigliano, but was transferred to the Provincial Infirmary of Santa Maria degli Angeli in Nocera Superiore after undergoing a chirurgical intervention at the Cardarelli of Naples. He died after a long illness at the named infirmary on September 11, 2006, aged 78. His funeral Mass was celebrated at the church of Santa Maria degli Angeli of the Franciscan Fathers at Nocera Superiore.
Originally buried at the Cimitero Comunale di Nocera Inferiore, on September 9, 2020, he was re-interred in the crypt of Avellino's Cathedral alongside his predecessors.
Former Bishop of the Diocese of Avellino, Monsignor Antonio Forte OFM., was born in Polla, Italy, on July 9, 1928 from a family of modest means. Joining the Order of Franciscan Friars Minor, he began his novitiate at the convent of Tramonti on September 29, 1943, taking his simple vows on October 1, 1944 and making his solemn profession on December 8, 1949.
After successfully finishing his studies in philosophy and theology, Forte was ordained to the priesthood at 22 years of age on February 25, 1951. Successively, he was sent by his superiors to Grottaferrata in order to pursue further studies, obtaining a degree in pedagogy in 1953.
In August of that same year he returned to his Province, where he served the offices of vice-rector of the Fratini of Bracigliano, master of clerics at Nocera and Serino, and spiritual director of the latter clerics.
When a serious lack of vocations hit his Province, the latter opened an inter-seminary for Southern Italy and Friar Antonio was named master of clerics at the Friary of Santa Chiara of Naples. Successively, he held various posts within his Province, mainly as definitor between 1962 and 1968, vicar provincial between 1968 and 1974, minister provincial between 1974 and 1980 and again vicar provincial between 1980 and 1986.
Noticing his noble qualities and authentic Franciscan spirit, the Minister General of his Order, named him twice as visitor general, in 1973, for the Province of Saint Michael Archangel of Puglia, and again in 1982, for the Province of the Sacred Heart of Naples.
Along the years, Forte was named vice-president of the Italian Conference for Major Superiors, member of the Commission for Religious Bishops of the Italian Episcopal Conference, and vice-assistant of the Missionarie dell'Opera della Regalità, a secular institute founded by Friar Agostino Gemelli OFM.
Whilst serving as Friar Guardian of the Formation House for Temporary Professed Brothers at the convent of Santa Maria della Foce of Sarno, at 59 years of age, he received the unexpected news of his appointment as Bishop of the Diocese of Ariano Irpino-Lacedonia by Pope John Paul II, following the retirement of Bishop Nicola Agnozzi OFM. Conv.
Forte received his episcopal consecration on September 10, 1988, from Cardinal Bernardin Gantin, assisted by Bishop Gioacchino Illiano and the named Monsignor Agnozzi, at Nocera Superiore, taking possession of his See on the following September 25.
Following the appointment of Monsignor Gerardo Pierro as Archbishop of Salerno-Campagna-Acerno, Forte was named his successor as Bishop of the Diocese of Avellino on September 20, 1993, an office which he held until his retirement at 76 years of age on November 13, 2004, being succeeded by Bishop Francesco Marino.
Retiring back to his former Province on January 15, 2005, he was assigned to the Friary of Bracigliano, but was transferred to the Provincial Infirmary of Santa Maria degli Angeli in Nocera Superiore after undergoing a chirurgical intervention at the Cardarelli of Naples. He died after a long illness at the named infirmary on September 11, 2006, aged 78. His funeral Mass was celebrated at the church of Santa Maria degli Angeli of the Franciscan Fathers at Nocera Superiore.
Originally buried at the Cimitero Comunale di Nocera Inferiore, on September 9, 2020, he was re-interred in the crypt of Avellino's Cathedral alongside his predecessors.
After successfully finishing his studies in philosophy and theology, Forte was ordained to the priesthood at 22 years of age on February 25, 1951. Successively, he was sent by his superiors to Grottaferrata in order to pursue further studies, obtaining a degree in pedagogy in 1953.
In August of that same year he returned to his Province, where he served the offices of vice-rector of the Fratini of Bracigliano, master of clerics at Nocera and Serino, and spiritual director of the latter clerics.
When a serious lack of vocations hit his Province, the latter opened an inter-seminary for Southern Italy and Friar Antonio was named master of clerics at the Friary of Santa Chiara of Naples. Successively, he held various posts within his Province, mainly as definitor between 1962 and 1968, vicar provincial between 1968 and 1974, minister provincial between 1974 and 1980 and again vicar provincial between 1980 and 1986.
Noticing his noble qualities and authentic Franciscan spirit, the Minister General of his Order, named him twice as visitor general, in 1973, for the Province of Saint Michael Archangel of Puglia, and again in 1982, for the Province of the Sacred Heart of Naples.
Along the years, Forte was named vice-president of the Italian Conference for Major Superiors, member of the Commission for Religious Bishops of the Italian Episcopal Conference, and vice-assistant of the Missionarie dell'Opera della Regalità, a secular institute founded by Friar Agostino Gemelli OFM.
Whilst serving as Friar Guardian of the Formation House for Temporary Professed Brothers at the convent of Santa Maria della Foce of Sarno, at 59 years of age, he received the unexpected news of his appointment as Bishop of the Diocese of Ariano Irpino-Lacedonia by Pope John Paul II, following the retirement of Bishop Nicola Agnozzi OFM. Conv.
Forte received his episcopal consecration on September 10, 1988, from Cardinal Bernardin Gantin, assisted by Bishop Gioacchino Illiano and the named Monsignor Agnozzi, at Nocera Superiore, taking possession of his See on the following September 25.
Following the appointment of Monsignor Gerardo Pierro as Archbishop of Salerno-Campagna-Acerno, Forte was named his successor as Bishop of the Diocese of Avellino on September 20, 1993, an office which he held until his retirement at 76 years of age on November 13, 2004, being succeeded by Bishop Francesco Marino.
Retiring back to his former Province on January 15, 2005, he was assigned to the Friary of Bracigliano, but was transferred to the Provincial Infirmary of Santa Maria degli Angeli in Nocera Superiore after undergoing a chirurgical intervention at the Cardarelli of Naples. He died after a long illness at the named infirmary on September 11, 2006, aged 78. His funeral Mass was celebrated at the church of Santa Maria degli Angeli of the Franciscan Fathers at Nocera Superiore.
Originally buried at the Cimitero Comunale di Nocera Inferiore, on September 9, 2020, he was re-interred in the crypt of Avellino's Cathedral alongside his predecessors.
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