In the early evening of Wednesday, Don Antonio Renzi, known to all as Don Tonino, died at the age of 93 at the ‘Toniolo’ hospital in Bologna where he had been hospitalized for days. From 23 August 1959 and therefore for just under 65 years, he was parish priest of the Lugo hamlet of Belriletto, belonging to the Bassa Pianura Vicariate of the Diocese of Imola. Born in Imola on 19 September 1930, Don Tonino was ordained a priest on 28 June 1955, in the cathedral of San Cassiano, by the coadjutor bishop Monsignor Benigno Carrara.
A month later he was appointed parochial vicar of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary of Casola Valsenio, where he remained until 8 October 1956, before becoming, just two days later, parochial vicar of the parish of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary of Bubano, before moving in 1959 in Belriletto, initially as spiritual bursar and later as parish priest. Since 1990 he has been a member of the diocesan commission for sacred art and cultural heritage, covering the role of deputy archivist of the Diocese of Imola for seven years (1990-1997) and becoming director of the Diocesan Museum and of the Diocesan Archives of Imola, becoming a very well-known face in the city.
In addition to holding the position, from 1 October 1990 to 31 October 1996, of Auditor of the diocesan institute for the support of the clergy of the Diocese of Imola, the priest was a member of the economic affairs council of the Diocese from 1995 to 2000. Nine years ago Fr. Antonino was appointed chaplain of his holiness with the title of monsignor. The papal nomination came via the Vatican secretariat of state and the delivery took place on 11 June 2015 directly from the hands of the bishop. During his long and intense life, Don Tonino also taught religion in the middle schools of Lugo.
Both the day after tomorrow and Sunday the body will be exhibited in the parish church (built in 1686 and dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus) of ‘his’ Belricetti. A mass will also be celebrated at 8pm on Saturday, again in the Lugo area. As per the will expressed by Don Tonino himself, the funeral will take place next Monday at 9 am in the Church of Carmine in Imola. Burial will follow at the Piratello cemetery.
